A DORSET charity that supports vulnerable young people at their lowest ebb is hoping for another boost from an annual sleep out event.

Byte Night on Friday, October 7 will see events taking place across the country, with people spending the night out of their comfort zone to raise money for good causes.

Among the beneficiaries from the event is Dorset Nightstop, which has been supporting young homeless people in the county since 2009, offering them a secure bed for the night and a listening ear from trained volunteer hosts.

The organisation is entirely self-funded and receives no money from local authorities so it is reliant on donations and fundraising to keep its work going,

The charity says that without the support from the Byte Night event, the UK’s largest sponsored sleep out, it would not have been able to support half of the young people it has helped.

Following last year’s event, the funding enable Dorset Nightstop to extend its services into the Poole and Bournemouth areas and it has been working with local authority housing providers and other established support groups in the area.

The charity supports people like Josh, who was referred to Dorset Nightstop from a local hospital after an attempted overdose.

Following a relationship breakdown, he was homeless and jobless with no family to turn to.

Dorset Nightstop was able to offer Josh a safe and secure bed and support from a trained volunteer host.

The charity’s coordinator Simon Keys said: “The difference in Josh after only one night was massive.

“He arrived, nervous and uncertain about the future, but after being made welcome and fed by his hosts, as well as being able to grab a good night’s sleep, he was ready to start looking to the future.

“Nightstop supported him with making applications for accommodation, signposted him to support services and offered help and advise with how to move things forward, as well as listening to challenges from his past.

“As his confidence grew, so did his ability to engage with the support services.

“By the end of the week, Josh had managed to get himself a room in some local supported lodgings and moved in.

“None of this would be possible without the vital money from events such as Byte Night.

“Just one night sleeping out can make a world of difference to those young people who need it most in our communities.”

For more information about the Byte Night event visit bytenight.org.uk

To contact Dorset Nightstop email dorsetnightstop@actionforchildren.org.uk or call 01305 753657.