CHILDCARE workers spent a night in the life of a rough sleeper to raise £12,000 for charity.

Six staff members from two Oxford nurseries - Sandfield Day Nursery and Julia Durbin Day Nursery, both in Headington - braved the elements to support Alzheimer's Society.

They joined 100 colleagues from linked nurseries for the Big Sleep Out fundraiser, hosted by their parent company Childbase.

Colleagues gathered at the childcare provider's offices in Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, to sleep in the car park - with just flatted cardboard boxes and sleeping bags for comfort.

Becca Washington, who works at Sandfield, 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."

Wayne Gregory, of Julia Durbin, added: "The support and generosity shown by colleagues, nursery parents and family and friends has been brilliant."

The sleep-out took place at the end of January and has raised £12,000 for Alzheimer's Society.

Both nurseries will fundraise for the charity throughout the year.