A BOXING champion is taking on a challenge outside the ring – sleeping rough to raise awareness about homelessness.

Brighton fighter Nicky Jenman will be leaving his home for three days wearing just a jumper, jacket, trousers, socks, trainers and a hat.

He will be taking nothing with him – not even a sleeping bag.

The 32-year-old former Moulsecoomb Amateur Boxing Club member reached a new high in his career when he won the Southern Area middleweight title in 2016.

His victory came after a thrilling ten-round match against Aylesbury’s Nathan Graham at the Brighton Metropole Hotel.

Nicky said he wanted to take on his new challenge to understand what rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove endure every day.

He said: “I thought about doing this last year as there is an increasing number of homeless people.

“When I go out for a walk with my daughter Scarlett, who is six, we see a lot of rough sleepers.

“I say to her we are very fortunate to have a roof over our heads but there are those who don’t have the luxuries or a house and have to endure the cold.

“I wanted to show her what it is like when you don’t have those luxuries.

Nicky will be sleeping rough from Monday, March 25, to Wednesday, March 28. in different areas of Brighton and Hove.

He said: “You don’t actually know how it feels unless you experience it yourself. A lot of people might say boxing is quite easy but they only realise how tough it is when they have tried it.

“I will be leaving my house on the Monday, taking nothing with me, not even my mobile phone and a sleeping bag and I will not be training.

“Because I am working with the Brighton Housing Trust, I will meet up with them once a day so they know I am safe.

“When I told people about what I am doing I got a lot of support.

“I have set up a JustGiving page and all the proceeds will go towards Brighton Housing Trust.”

Jo Berry, head of marketing at Brighton Housing Trust, said: “We’ve spoken to Nick about it and he was very motivated to do this because more and more people have become homeless.

“He is very kind to use his profile to raise awareness about the issue in the city. It’s a huge undertaking because he will be facing cold, dark, lonely nights which is what rough sleepers typically face every day.

“Nick wanted to take this opportunity for him and his daughter to understand what it is like when you don’t have a home to go to.”

To support Nick, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-jenman.