YOUTH workers from the Methodist Church in Lune Street, Preston, found out what is like to be cold, homeless and hungry.

The youngsters staged a sleep-out in Preston town centre last week to highlight the plight of the homeless.

Their action was part of a national campaign called Scandal - Time to Act.

Reverend Derek North of the Lune Street church said: "The youngsters are outraged at what they have discovered about homelessness."

A survey was conducted by 20,000 youngsters nationwide. They spoke to 400 homeless people, nearly 200 hostel workers and 100 advice centre staff.

The survey revealed:

Homeless people are ordinary people who can't find permanent, affordable accommodation;

most people on the streets are there through no fault of their own and

they are not no-hopers, drug addicts and scroungers.

It was also found that the worst thing about being on the streets wasn't the cold, lonely nights or the lack of basic comforts but the indignity. People complained of being robbed, raped, attacked and having to beg just to get something to eat.

One man said: "It isn't the cold nights, or rain or the hunger that hurts the most. It's being separated from my brother."

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