A SOLDIER will be sleeping out in the cold as part of a fundraising campaign to raise crucial funds for homeless veterans.

Keith Hercus is a Colchester resident serving in the Military Provost Guard Service at the town's Merville Barracks.

The 47-year-old is taking part in the Royal British Legion Industries’ Great Tommy Sleep Out which will see those taking part brave the cold for a night this Friday in aid of the 6,000 military veterans living on the streets in the UK.

He joins more than 2,300 people throughout the country who have already signed up to the challenge.

Every penny raised by the campaign will go directly to RBLI’s wide range of services providing a home, welfare and employment support to military veterans.

RBLI, which is a separate charity to the Royal British Legion, provides a home to more than 300 veterans and their families through its Kent village, including homeless veterans through their emergency accommodation Mountbatten Pavilion.

All veterans living on the village are provided with a tailored welfare support programme to help them regain their independence and overcome challenges caused by physical or mental disability, drug or alcohol dependency, and unemployment.

Keith said: “Homelessness in general is a matter which I feel requires just as much support as many other great causes, with my military background I felt that I wanted to raise awareness to the subject of service personnel that end up falling into these unfortunate circumstances.

"I was drawn to this challenge as the RBLI is an institute that I feel are doing fantastic work but not fully recognised, as people mix up the charity with the Royal British Legion."

For the challenge, Keith will be spending the day outside Lloyd's Bank in Colchester town centre and the night in a sleeping bag in the old shop doorway at the Garrison Married Quarters in order to become as close to the reality of the plight of our homeless, without the dangers which they are subject to.

So far he has raised almost £400.

To support Keith or find out more about his fundraiser visit https://bit.ly/3cN8OVA.