A Stevenage bus driver is set to sleep under the stars for a night in a bid to raise much-needed funds to help military veterans who have been forced to sleep rough.

Robert Cook, a veteran who served with the Coldstream Guards and is now a driver with Stagecoach, will take on the challenge to raise money and awareness for the estimated 6,000 veterans who are experiencing homelessness in the UK right now.

While Robert is based in Cambridge, he covers a number of routes for Stagecoach and can often be found in Stevenage.

Robert said: “Nobody would say that the challenge exactly replicates the experience of sleeping rough, but it is still a challenge to do.

"I feel so strongly about the fate of so many people who have given their all to serve and protect our country, and who are now facing the consequences of that decision.

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“It is easy to become disillusioned and think that nothing can be done to help these veterans, but we can all do our bit, so it is good to make a positive step to help out.”

Throughout March, the Royal British Legion Industries charity runs the Great Tommy Sleep Out Campaign.

Since 1919, the charity has provided crucial accommodation, welfare and employment support to injured veterans and people with disabilities.

Darren Roe, managing director of Stagecoach East, said: “We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who put themselves forward to defend our freedoms and way of living, and so we are very proud of Robert for taking on this challenge and hope that significant funds will be raised to help the vital work done by Royal British Legion Industries.”

Stagecoach has been a member of the Armed Forces Covenant for almost 10 years, and supports veterans through its employee-led Veterans Network.

If you would like to donate to Robert's campaign, you can do so here: http://tinyurl.com/3uxme6k7