TEAMS from across the county will next week gather in a cold field and spend one night sleeping under the stars for a good cause.

The Big Sleep, a night of sponsored discomfort, will raise money for Cumbria Community Foundation’s Winter Warmth Appeal to help keep older people warm this winter.

There is still time for teams, families and individuals to take on the fundraising challenge which will be held behind the Low Wood Bay Hotel in Windermere on Saturday February 7.

Chief Executive of Cumbria Community Foundation, Andy Beeforth said: “This year we have live music, a film and a thermal imaging camera at the Big Sleep plus more surprises on the evening. It’s a great way to raise money and awareness of the struggles older people can face during the winter but it’s also a lot of fun and a great workplace challenge.”

One team hoping to make a warm impression is from Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS), whose fundraising efforts are already leading the way in both the team and individual fundraising efforts.

They will be bringing a thermal imaging camera with them to check just how low their body temperatures will go on the night. Other Big Sleepers can have their thermal photo taken as a memento.

The Nationwide has embraced the challenge with 14 staff from three branches sleeping out - including their district manager David Falconer.

Joanne Williams, branch manager from Kendal, said: "I put forward the Big Sleep after seeing a leaflet to my district team and they were keen to support the charity, we saw this as a fantastic opportunity to raise money and have a team build together as well."

Six members from Lakeland Limited's Kendal distribution depot have signed up and the company has made a fundraising contribution.

Around 15 members of staff from Windermere company Alertacall have also signed up and there have been a lot of sleeping bag deliveries to the office this week in preparation for the event.

Entry is open until Wednesday February 4 and to register visit: www.cumbriafoundation.org/bigsleep or call 01900 825760.