GAME-for-a-laugh staff at a Halesowen hair salon swapped short, back and sides for a wet, windswept break outside when they braved the elements overnight to raise money for Shelter.

The owner of Mia Sorella Hair Studio Katie Young convinced her staff Clare Harris and Nikki Jones-Hyde to camp out in front of the Witely Road salon from 7pm until 7am on Saturday night.

The three women soon realised how hard it is for homeless people on the streets in the winter as the wind and the rain lashed them.

Katie said: "The weather was not kind to us at all, it rained heavily with high winds through the night, we were all soaked by 2am and temperatures went down to -2C.

"I have known people that have become homeless and seen how it had changed them and what they have to go through to keep warm or even to eat.

"Throughout the night we had trials planned but due to weather being so bad we only managed the eating challenge.

"We had to pick straws , whoever got the short straw had to drink chunky soup cold and the other two had to drink either cold tomato soup or cold beans.

"It wasn't the most pleasant thing in the world but we did it but as the rain got worse and it got colder there were times we wanted to quit, but we didn't and we carried on and powered through.

She added: "We had so much support from the local community and one of our clients Mark Barber turned up to stay with us, we were doing Facebooking Live too so people could laugh at us.

"They brought us coats, food and drink to keep us warm and we have raised over £300 so far in just giving donations and cash donations, our just giving account is still open for donations.

Clare Harris added: "It really gave us a different look on how the homeless have to actually live. Everyday trying to shelter from all conditions and trying to find sources of food and drink. It was tough for us for just that one night.

"I can't believe that people have to go though that and a lot worse every night so whatever we can raise will be so so helpful towards helping the homeless and families with inadequate housing."

For more information visit the Mia Sorella Facebook page or visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Katie-Young28A.

Braving the elements: Nikki Jones-Hyde, Katie Young and Clare Harris