THE leading lights of the local community will sleep in the city's rugby stadium to raise funds for the homeless.

More than 60 volunteers plan to take part in the CEO Sleepout at Sixways Stadium, in Worcester, on Tuesday, April 26.

The participants include business executives and charity bosses from across the city - and even the Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge.

Bishop John said: "The scale of homelessness is in our country is shocking, it is a terrible indictment upon us.

"While I am not looking forward to spending one night in my sleeping bag in the cold, at least I can go back to my warm bed the following night.

"I’m pleased to help draw attention to the issue of homelessness and, in a very small way, help to alleviate the problem.”

Some of the other volunteers taking part include Gus Mackay, CEO of Worcester Warriors, Ben Mannion, director of Hewett Recruitment, Gareth Hughes, headteacher of RGS The Grange, and Phoebe Dawson, manager of Worcester Business Improvement District (BID).

A spokesman for CEO Sleepout said: "All money raised from the sleepout will be used to fight the causes and effects of homelessness by Warriors Community Foundation, alongside St Paul's Hostel who do great work in Worcester.

"The vast majority of funds raised will stay within boundaries of this awesome city and help Worcester to become an even better, fairer and stronger place."

Carol Hart, head of Worcester Warriors Community Foundation, added: "I can’t wait to take part in the CEO Sleepout – this is something very close to my heart.

"We work a lot with the city’s homeless and young people in extreme poverty. Although we won't come close to experiencing true homelessness, we fully understand the seriousness of this situation and how much worse it is getting."

CEO Sleepout wants business leaders from across Worcester to take part in the event by signing up on its website ceosleepoutuk.com/worcester