A RETIRED vicar who slept under the stars to raise money for the city's homeless says he is 'overwhelmed' by parishoners' generosity.

With a sleeping bag and his dog Borage in tow for company, Reverend Tony Lynn camped out with seven other residents on a Buckland church porch on Good Friday.

The sleepout at St Mary the Virgin Church was the culmination of the priest's fundraiser for Oxford Homeless Pathways.

During the 40 nights of lent leading up to Easter, he had asked parishioners to put a pound in a tin for every good night's sleep they had, to then be donated to the homeless charity.

He said: "It really does bring tears to my eyes, to see how generous people have been.

"I cannot thank them enough because the money we have raised will really make a difference to people's lives."

Currently £5,100 has been raised for the charity, which manages O'Hanlon House and Julian Housing for Oxford's homeless.

Reverend Lynn added: "I had always hoped we would reach the £1,000 mark.

"But to go above and beyond like this is really wonderful."

Throughout the event on Friday, April 14, Reverend Lynn and his colleagues were visited by a host of generous guests to keep them warm and fed during the night.

He added: "We had so many people come and see us, all of them bearing gifts from chocolates to hot cross buns, cakes and hot chocolate.

"One special visitor was the fundraiser from Oxford Homeless Pathways, Jo Faulkner-Harvey, who described the lamentable position in which so many of the homeless find themselves in, it was humbling hearing her speak.

"As we settled into the porch, we knew we were spending only one night there: a springy floor for there was much cardboard, we were sheltered, with friends, and well-provisioned.

"In the early morning tea and coffee was brought, followed by croissants and bacon rolls – and then more hot chocolate."

And it is not just the adults in the parish who have got involved with the fundraiser.

Mr Lynn said he was particularly touched by the generosity of an eight-year-old boy.

He added: "We visited the primary school in Buckland and showed the children why were collecting the money and how we were doing it.

"A little boy went up to London and saw homeless people and he came back and told his mum he wanted to give his pocket money for the homeless.

"I remember asking him if he was sure he wanted to give it all away but he was adamant.

"He gave it all, it was a total of £35.98, it made me quite teary."

For more information or to donate visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/Tony-Lynn2