As some of you already know I've been trying to help a homeless lady for over 12 months now. Theresa, is nearly 65 yrs old and has been rough sleeping in Leeds for nearly two years.

Theresa had 'a normal' life once, a professional job, a house and a family of her own but she suffered terrible loss and in the resulting grief, guilt and mental torment that followed, her life gradually fell apart.

I got to know her when she started using some of the facilities at my work and started talking to her. I eventually gained her trust and I promised that I would do whatever I could to help get her off the streets.

I initially gave her money, bought her food etc and asked people to donate clothes etc but more longer term solutions needed exploring. Over the last 12 months I have spoken with citizens advise, street outreach, housing, adult social care, councillors and even an MP. There are people from these departments committed to Theresa's plight but due to her miss trust of the authority and her often unwillingness to engage she gets labeled as 'difficult' or 'wanting to stay homeless'. I admit that she can can be frustrating at times, her poor mental health means her decisions and thought processes can be unfathomable to most people.

She describes her situation as like being buried alive yet its her daily routine of survival that actually keeps her going however, her health has been failing her and the last 2 years have taken a huge toll on her mentally and physically. Theresa is unbelievably resilient and she has always wanted to get herself out of this mess her way, but with another winter setting in she now realises she must accept help.

Any money raised will be used to fund accommodation over the xmas period (and during future cold snaps) and buy her some essential items to maker her life easier until a permanent solution can be found. If this happens sooner than expected the money will also be used to assist Theresa in moving and settling in to a property.

In know I'm not ridding the seas of plastic or curing cancer here, I'm just trying to help one person. But homelessness is on the rise and people like Theresa deserve compassion, they deserve a roof over their head and a chance make a fresh start.