A group of volunteers raised thousands of pounds for charity after a sleep out.

Braving the cold and rain, a team from Grasshoppers Day Nursery in St. Albans, ‘slept rough’ to help raise more than £12,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society, the UK’s leading dementia charity.

Wrapped up in a sleeping bag and cardboard, Grasshoppers practitioners Hannah Tye and Emma Bloom joined over 100 colleagues from sister day nurseries for the annual ‘Big Sleep Out’.

Ms Bloom, who also took part in the challenge last year said: "One cold, uncomfortable night is nothing compared with the good that can be achieved with the money raised. We all know someone who is living with dementia, and I lost my nan to it last year, so whatever the night brings we are here until morning."

Ms Tye added: "The support and generosity shown by colleagues, nursery parents and family and friends has been brilliant. We want to say a ‘Big thank you from the Big Sleep Out’ to them all."

The Alzheimer’s Society has been adopted by Grasshoppers Day Nursery for a year-long fund-raising drive. Georgie Davies from Alzheimer’s Society’s fundraising team said: "It’s incredible to see the team braving the cold January weather to show their support and raise money for the Society. The money raised by the ‘Big Sleep Out’ will help provide vital information and support for people affected by dementia."