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Soldiers and veterans will sleep rough tonight to highlight the plight of ex- military heroes who end up homeless.

Hundreds braved the cold in eight towns and cities, two weeks after we revealed there are an estimated 13,000 veterans without a place to live.

In Bournemouth, ex-soldier Andy Price, 39, who did three tours of Afghanistan and suffered a breakdown last year, said mental health services are patchy.

Andy, his pregnant wife and their daughter, five, ended up living in a garage and sleeping on a couch.

(Image: BNPS)

(Image: BNPS)

In Newcastle, George Wallis, 46, who spent 12 years in the Light Dragoons, told how he struggled to adjust to civilian life. He said: “I became jobless and hit rock bottom.

“I was estranged from my family, still am. I was sofa surfing for eight months. It was the worst time of my life.

“Homelessness is a huge problem among veterans, and the government should get more involved. It shouldn’t be left to the charities.”

(Image: North News)

The events were organised by online military forum Fill Your Boots to raise money for veterans’ charity LaunchPad.

Tory MP Richard Drax, a former officer in the Coldstream Guards, said veterans must be helped. He added: “What I’ve heard is the safety net is not working and people are falling through.”