A FIREMAN who found himself sleeping rough seven years ago is raising money to support homeless veterans.

Steve Foster, a crew manager at Worthing Fire Station, will take part in the Great Tommy Sleep-Out Challenge in aid of Royal British Legion Industries to support the estimated 6,000 veterans who are currently homeless in the UK.

He will be joined by fellow firefighter Matthew Harris and his 11-year-old daughter Eloise, who will join him for the final night of the sleep-out, which begins today.

Steve said: “Very few people will know this, but around seven years ago I became homeless and found myself living in a tent in a nature reserve for a few months over the winter period.

"I managed to hide the fact I was homeless from my family and my employer, but I was lucky enough to still be employed by the fire service and have a fire station I could use to shower and have some sort of normality in my life.

"Others aren’t so lucky.

“That is why myself and Matt will be taking part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out Challenge, braving the cold and potentially wet March nights, sleeping under the stars to help get veterans off the streets and into safe, warm housing and support those with disabilities.”

Steve and Matthew will be sleeping rough for three nights from tonight, under the stars on the outskirts of Worthing, Chichester and Burgess Hill, whatever the weather.

Steve added: “We will be doing this with no provisions or financial back up, so no food or our wallets.

"If you happen to pass us, please feel free to stop by with a bite to eat or a brew. But if you pass a rough sleeper on your way then please give it to them instead.”

Chief Fire Officer, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, said: “Returning to sleep out on the streets, even for a few nights, is not a decision anyone who has experienced homelessness would make lightly, and so I understand what a huge step this must have been for Steve to take.

"But I would like to commend him for taking his own experience of homelessness and using it for a force for good.

"It is such a worthy cause that he, Matt and Eloise will be raising awareness for and I would personally – from the bottom of my heart – like to wish him the very best of luck for the challenge.”

To support Steve's fundraising, visit the Facebook page here.