Andover Sound's Faye Marsh decided it was time she took up a challenge...and raise plenty of cash for charity!

She was asked to join other people from around the town to sleep over at King Arthurs Hall.

The aim was to find out what it's like to be without a bed and without a home with all the sponsorship received going towards the work of Alabare in Andover. The charity provides supported housing, information and advice to homeless people, ex-offenders, youngsters and many more.

Between them, the group raised over £1,500!

She gave us an account of her night's stay:

We arrived at King Arthur's Hall just after 9pm, not really knowing what to expect - and it's lucky we didn't expect anything, because that's exactly what we got. Just a hall with plenty of floor space - that was it. No heating, nothing to lie on, absolutely no creature comforts.

So, after a generous helping of bread and soup, made by the fair hands of Hampshire County Councillor Pat West, and a visit from the local bobbies on the beat while they were on patrol, it was time to settle down for the night.

Test Valley Borough Councillor Phil North had done a sleep-out before and said he was only too happy to sign up again: "Actually the last time there was about 5 people, and this time there's about 13 so we should raise a bit more money, and it's all going to a very good cause.

"My role as a local councillor includes dealing with a lot of people who are homeless, and the Council can only provide so much, there's also a role for the voluntary sector and charitable bodies to help out, and this is a great way to help them."

The temperature dropped rapidly once the lights went out and the early hours drew in - and the floor genuinely is as cold and uncomfortable as I expected. The four layers of clothing, two blankets and a sleeping bag didn't really help... and nor did the snoring of some of my fellow sleepers either!

But it's all for a good cause, particularly Sarum House on Winchester Road - one of Alabare's projects in Andover, which takes young people ages 16 to 25, who would otherwise have nowhere else to go.

Kim is one of the residents there and explains what sort of a difference it's made to her life: "I was homeless for three months, sofa surfing all over the place. Now, I've sorted out my depression, got into college and I'm basically ready to move on when I'm 18."

Emma also lives at Sarum House and says: "They've done a lot for me and I'm really thankful, that's why I'm here tonight. I want to move into my own place, get my life back on track and going forward again."

Andover's is one of 7 events taking place around the region, with the money raised locally, staying locally.

Stuart Mustard is a senior manager at Alabare and says the sleep-outs are a great fundraiser for them: "Obviously realism is not just doing it for one night, it's actually knowing that you haven't got a bed to go to, you don't know where your next dry place is going to be. It's something that shouldn't be permanent, but unfortunately it is for too many people.

"The average life expectancy of someone living on the streets is 42, and the average time that someone spends on the streets is 7 years - that's something that for our society, I think is appalling."

So having had a fairly uncomfortable night, and knowing that doing my little bit will make a huge difference, there's a definite sense of achievement to have completed the challenge.

But I'm certainly glad I don't have to do it every night.

Click play to listen to Faye's report and scroll down for the photos:

You can still support Faye's efforts for Alabare by sponsoring her - Click here to visit her fundraising page.