'Not brushing my teeth before I go to bed is going to be a major thing!'
Two women from Galashiels sleep rough to raise awareness of homelessness
It's a hidden problem in the Borders.
But figures obtained by Greatest Hits Radio two years ago revealed HUNDREDS of people in our region are registered homeless.
And that stat is thought to have increased again since then.
Many are forced to sofa-surf with family and friends until they can find a place they can call their own - with one even having to wait more than three years to get a permanent roof over their head.
But two women from the Borders are preparing to sleep rough in Galashiels this weekend to highlight the issue.
Karen Redpath, who works part-time at the local M&S Food Hall, and hospital worker Fiona Howie are raising money for Steps to Hope, which is dedicated to caring for the homeless.
They have been inspired by Richard Roncero, the founder of the Edinburgh-based charity, who has been sleeping out for nearly eight weeks in eight different cities.
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Karen, who also works part-time for Scottish Borders Council, told us: "It's just shocking; more needs to be done.
"The Steps to Hope charity I know have taken somebody off the streets and got them a hotel and things, so if the money we raise even keeps a couple of people off the streets for a couple of nights that's all we're hoping for."
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In fact, the plucky pair have already raised more than £1,000 in online donations in advance of the fundraiser this weekend.
It comes at a time when the cost of living crisis is putting more pressure on household budgets.
"We're only doing one night (Saturday), which is more than enough for us," Karen smiled. "We will be layered up too and that's a privilege the homeless don't always have; but we will be in cardboard and sleeping bags and living as rough as we can experience."
When asked what she expects the hardest part to be, Karen added: "The cold. But also, for me, not brushing my teeth before I go to bed is going to be a major thing! And that's like basic things that homeless people have to deal with every day."
To support Karen and Fiona’s sleep out for Steps to Hope, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/karen-redpath-1704743230190