A SPONSORED sleep-out in aid of homelessness charity Framework has been postponed due to the freezing weather.
Organisers had hoped to raise as much as £20,000 for the charity by staging the Mansfield Big Snore outside St Mark's Church, Mansfield, on Friday.
A decision has now been taken to delay the fund-raiser until Friday, March 1, to protect the safety of those due to take part.
Framework's fund-raising manager Louise Darby said: "We know from many years' experience that such extreme weather conditions always bring with them a significant increase in participant cancellations – resulting in a substantial drop in much-needed income.
"The money raised by this event will help us to resettle former rough sleepers throughout 2013 and it is vital that we are able to raise the greatest possible amount."
Peter Radage, Framework service director said: "When the weather is this cold Framework, in partnership with local authorities and others, operates a series of emergency winter shelters to try and make sure nobody is exposed to such life-threatening conditions.
"I know that many of our supporters would have turned out regardless of the conditions, but it is simply not fair for us to expect others – including children and older people – to follow suit during unpredictable and hazardous weather conditions.
"We know only too well the risks that presents."
All people who have registered for the event already will be automatically allocated a space on the new day.
