A group of University of Lethbridge students is shedding the comforts of home this week, taking part in the national 5 Days for the Homeless campaign to aid local charity.

This is the second successive year that U of L students have participated in the campaign and after raising nearly $8,000 last year, the goal for this campaign is to top the $10,000 mark. All money raised will be donated to Wood's Homes Foundation, a multi-service charity serving the most troubled young people in our community.

The five-day campaign began at 5 p.m. on Sunday night and will conclude Friday evening at 5 p.m. Throughout that time, the U of L students will remain outdoors, on campus, living just outside the Students' Union Building. They will forego all their electronic communication devices, subsist only on food that has been donated, and have just a pillow and sleeping bag as personal possessions.

Students also must complete all their academic responsibilities, meaning they must attend classes and write any scheduled exams.

Donations to their cause can be made both on campus or online by visiting the national website 5 Days for the Homeless. People can also track the progress of the fundraising initiative online by clicking on the "Lethbridge" link.