SLEEPING rough is not usually a choice, but one ex-serviceman is taking to the outdoors every night in December to spread awareness of the hardships homeless people face every day.

Carl Bakes, armed with just a sleeping bag, hammock and a waterproof layer, has been alternating his sleeping arrangements from his back garden, to woodlands in Little London and other locations to raise money for the veteran’s charity Haig Housing Trust.

The 48-year-old himself served for 24 years as a technician in the Royal Air Force before going back to civilian life, and says he understands the struggles some ex-servicepeople can face coming out of the military.

In the spirit of the cause, Carl is choosing places at random and will be sleeping rough even over Christmas Day and Boxing Day when he goes to Colchester, in Essex, to visit family.

The Augusta Park resident said: “The fact that I’m sleeping outside is what some people have to do.

“If I can get people to empathise with that and understand when they get up in the morning they are warm and dry, they can have something to eat, have a shower - those things people take for granted, like getting into a bed at the end of the day.”

The father-of-three has found the challenge has made him realise the constant concern of safety that homeless people face, when having to think where he can go to sleep each night.

While the initial fundraising target was £500, Carl has now upped the challenge to £1,000 as he surpassed the amount within a week.

The support however has not just been financial, as he also gets a text each night from his mum saying ‘have a good night, hope you don’t get wet’.

Haig Housing Trust aims to help veterans re-build their lives by providing them and their dependants with housing when they are transitioning to civilian life or need a helping hand.

The trust has more than 1,500 properties throughout the UK.

Carl, who left the RAF five years ago, said: “A lot of people don’t do the full 22 years service and get a pension so they are on their own, they don’t have that financial support.

“For many joining at a young age the military life is all they have known. It is a big life change. The comradery and that is always there but when you come out, move away and for whatever reason have no contact, you have lost a big brotherhood and sisterhood.

“I think there is fantastic work done by lots of charities to support them, but should we rely on charities for that support for people when they leave?”

The now-civvie hopes to be pushed to the limits during his month outdoors, even with his fingers crossed for some snow to pose more of a challenge.

Speaking about the way society views those who are homeless, Carl added: “Be aware being homeless it’s not normally a choice, have compassion the whole year not just at Christmas.

“Do what you can to support people - everybody is going through their own battle when they get back.”

To donate go to justgiving.com and search for “Carl’s Outdoor December Page”.