Young people have raised hundreds during a sponsored sleep out.

A dozen school leavers from Braintree and Witham signed up to the National Citizens Service (NCS), run by Essex Youth Service, this summer.

The scheme gives young people the chance to learn life skills and give something back to their communities.

The 16 and 17-year-olds on the programme enjoyed two weeks on residential visits, taking part in team building exercises and other activities before spending a fortnight organising and running community action projects.

County cllr Ray Gooding, responsible for education, said: “The National Citizen Service is an excellent programme that encourages young people to make a positive contribution to their communities and teaches them crucial life skills.

“This group showed tremendous initiative, coming up with a project that made a real difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in their community.

“I am very proud of their efforts and hope they have all enjoyed taking part in the programme.”

The group managed to raise more than £800 by arranging a sponsored 12 hour sleep out and running a family fun evening at Chapel Hill Youth Centre.

The group made up 20 backpacks, cooked and served meals and donated the remaining £340 to First Stop.