Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser set for Sudbury

The coldest night of the year is coming up in February, but it won't be determined by the temperature outside.

The annual fundraiser works to raise money for community groups that help the poor and the homeless.

In Sudbury, funds raised through the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser will go to the Samaritan Centre. That agency is an umbrella group for several organizations, including the Elgin Street Mission, the Blue Door Soup Kitchen and the Corner clinic.

Executive director of the Samaritan Centre Kevin Serviss, says a variety of people access help through the centre.

"Some of them are heartbreaking stories about people who have lost their jobs or broken relationships," he said.

"Some of them have turned to substance abuse or alcohol abuse and that's how they've ended up where they were at."

Serviss says the Samaritan Centre serves between 300 to 400 people per day.

Across Canada, Serviss says 114 cities will take part in the annual fundraiser. Participants gather pledges to raise money and walk the streets to bring awareness. The annual event will take place February 25.

In Sudbury, the event starts at 4 p.m. at the Rainbow Centre Mall food court on 40 Elm Street. Participants can register online in advance.