In Pictures: Sleepout in Limerick city to raise funds for Novas

A LIMERICK homelessness charity has received a boost on the eve of Christmas, with thousands of euro raised at its flagship fundraiser.

Around 30 people braved sub-zero temperatures on Friday night to support Novas, which runs support centres for homeless people across the region.

Those taking part slept outside Brown Thomas in O'Connell Street.

It's the fifth time the sleep-out has taken place, and is designed to raise awareness around the issue of people sleeping rough.

'The answer is simply more housing': Limerick charity holds annual sleepout to raise awareness of homeless crisis

Novas head of policy Dr Una Burns said the freezing temperatures last week has refocused the minds in terms of supporting people without a home.

"The weather this week has highlighted to us how unsafe people who are homeless are. We are choosing to be here. We can go home whenever we want. Whenever we feel cold or unsafe we can pack up and go to our warm houses. It's completely different to people who have no choice and people who might be sleeping on their own and feeling cold obviously and unsafe," she said.

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