A KINDHEARTED schoolgirl will sleep in a cardboard box to raise money for the homeless.

Seven-year-old Ruby McGarel will spend the night in a box with no blanket or pillow.

Mum Tracey McGarel, of Carlton Avenue, Westcliff said: “She’s going to sleep in the box in her bedroom. She wanted to do it outside but I couldn’t let her do that.

“It all came about when she was playing with a box in the kitchen and I said some people use these to keep them warm at night.

“She’s a very caring little girl and she said she wanted to do something to help.”

Ruby has already raised nearly £100 by doing odd jobs and is now hoping people will sponsor her for her cardboard box sleepover.

All money raised will go to Southend homeless charity Harp.

The charity houses up to 72 people at one time in a number of bedsits, rooms and flats.

It provides emergency accommodation at its base the Bradbury Centre, in York Road, Southend, and is the only comprehensive emergency service for the homeless in the Southend area, helping 48 people every day.

The emergency hostel provides accommodation for up to 18 people to prevent them from rough sleeping.

The charity provides food packages, night packs and meals for rough sleepers and supports ex-offenders who are in treatment for substance misuse with hostel accommodation and a rehab programme.

Long-term support is also given to people who find themselves homeless for a long time and with its Learning for Life course offers life skills.

Over Christmas, Harp served 1,000 Christmas dinners for the homeless.

To sponsor Ruby, visit justgiving.com/Tracey- Mcgarel.