Hertfordshire agency Imagine Property Group has helped to exceed a homeless charity’s expectations by raising ten times more than expected in a sponsored sleep-out in Watford.

The agency raised more than £50,000 as no fewer than 30 of the Watford-based staff spent a night sleeping on the streets with more than 200 other supporters to raise money for the New Hope homeless charity.

Mike Cole, managing director of Imagine Property Group, said New Hope was hopeful of raising just £5,000 but he was optimistic of getting at least £30,000.

Supporters raised more than £50,000 for the sleep-out which took place on one of the coldest nights of the year on November 17.

He said: “Those 200 people will never again walk blindly past a homeless person. Maybe that’s the most powerful legacy of all from this event.

“I must say a massive thank you to the people at New Hope who have put their heart and soul into making a success of this event, as well as the volunteers who helped on the night and the sponsors who have helped underpin the finances.”