Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder sleeps out on streets overnight to raise money for homeless people of Sheffield

Chris Wilder with Ian Whitehorne, left, on the sleepout

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, joined a close pal in sleeping on the streets of Sheffield to raise money for homeless people this Christmas.

Wilder joined Ian Whitehorne, managing director of Whitehornes estage agents, and Tearle Phelan of Knight Frank on the Sheffield streets in midweek. A Crowdfunding page, aiming to raise £3,000, has so far attracted pledges of over £6,800.

"Two days ago, a homeless guy in Birmingham froze to death. This should not happen in 2016 Britain," Whitehorne said.

"Our plan was to sleep rough outside Sheffield Cathedral on December 8, and are looking to raise funding that will go someway to feeding and clothing the homeless of Sheffield over Christmas.

"We hope at this time of year you can spare a thought for the less fortunate and please help us tackle this problem. Your small donation could save the life of a guy you just walked past in the street."

To donate, CLICK HERE.

The trio's efforts are part of a wider effort to raise £25,000 this Christmas for the Cathedral Archer Project and Roundabout, the local youth housing charity. Estimates place the number of homeless people living in Sheffield at around 400, and homelessness across the UK has increased by 30 per cent this year.

A number of other notable city figures also slept out to raise funds, including former boxing world champion Johnny Nelson.