At Victoria Station last year, while waiting for a friend a homeless man sat down next to me and we got talking. He told me his tragic tale of how he had lost his home and how he had no support network, family had died and friends had moved on. With nowhere to go he spent his life on the streets begging for a cup of coffee and occasionally getting shelter. He was quite open about being suicidal, saying he had no reason to live. I felt so unable to help other than buy him a cup of coffee and some food, and still think of him when I go to the station and wonder where he is now.

This man was one of so many, some of whom I pass every day to and from work, seeing the same faces day in, day out.

Although this sleep out will only give me a taste of what these people have to go through every day, I hope it will give me a deeper understanding of what it means to be homeless. And I hope that raising money to help provide shelter is more helpful than just giving some coppers to someone begging on the street.

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