For the 10th year, students from the University of Manitoba will be sleeping outside for five straight days starting tonight.

Six University of Manitoba students will be sleeping and living outside of the Fort Garry campus for 5 Days for the Homeless. The campaign raises funds and awareness for homeless youth.

"As a dad, it's really important that we educate our kids about the community," said Mayor Brian Bowman at the opening event. "Our kids are fortunate . . . but not everyone in our community has that luxury."

5 days homeless shop
Last year, the campaign raised over $27,500 and they are hoping for $30,000 this year. "Last year's campaign set the bar high," says Munroe Shume in a release. "We hope to engage as many students as we did last year to reduce and ultimately eliminate youth homelessness." Shume is a third-year student at U of M and on eof the campaign's co-chairs.

"I'm a little nervous," Dara Hallock, one of the students participating, said. "The temperature will be my biggest challenge."

The rules for the six sleepers - Hallock along with Raelene Roy, Tori Miller, George Semchuk, Santiago Godoy, and Abel Nyamori - include attending all classes while not being able to shower, nor carry any cash, identification or a cell phone. They can only eat food that has been donated to them, since they have no cash to buy any.

"We're allowed to go to class, but that's pretty much the only time we're supposed to spend indoors," Hallock explained. "[We have to be outside because] part of our job while we're outside is approaching people and asking if they want to donate."

Hallock said she will be wearing lots of layers to combat the weather outside. It will be chilly tonight, according to Environment Canada, but will continue to warm up throughout the week.