Sebastopol College was one of 50 Victorian schools which encouraged students to keep their shoes on for 24 hours _ sleeping and showering in them in an effort to raise awareness of youth homelessness.

The day was a new initiative of street magazine The Big Issue.

With red laces in their shoes, a group of Sebastopol College students and the Ballarat Street Socceroos played a friendly soccer match at Eastwood Leisure Centre as part of the day.

National Street Soccer manager Felicia Welstead said many people did not take their shoes off when living on the streets.

"Shoes are important for them, because they are always on the move. They can make a quick getaway and they keep them warm," Ms Welstead said.

Participating schools also raised money for their adopted teams competing in the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup in December.

Students collected donations from family and friends, with all proceeds going to initiatives of The Big Issue.

Sebastopol College teacher Drew Layton said the day gave the students an insight into homelessness and encouraged them to think about the issue of homelessness for a day.