It is always difficult to ask people to part with their hard earned money, but this is a cause close to my heart. My amazing mum found herself homeless when she was a teenager, but through the kindness of other people and her desire to change her life, she is now a homeowner, with 2 successful children, and 2 very happy rescue dogs. I have so much admiration and pride for my mum, and thank her everyday for giving me the life I have, and for instilling a level of kindness and compassion in me that has lead me to start this fund.

I have a full time job, but in the evenings and at the weekends I walk the streets of London, talking to homeless people, buying food and essentials for them and their pets, buying items we take for granted everyday. I listen to their stories, and I find the majority of them say the same thing - it is a very lonely and scary life, they have no idea if they will ever escape their current situation. They live everyday wondering what tomorrow holds, and if this is a life they face forever.

I recently met a man called Sean and his dog Red (pictured). Sean told me the worst part about being homeless for him, was waking up with people staring at him, not being able to take a shower, and brush his teeth, and he missed having a soft chair to sit on. These very basic things we take for granted everyday. The first time I met Sean, I was on my way to meet some friends for dinner in Central London, but decided to cancel, go buy dinner for Sean and Red and keep them company for a few hours. Sean told me it was the first time in as long as he could remember that he has shared a hot meal and a chat with someone. Whilst I was sat on the floor with them outside London Bridge station, the reaction of people was so surprising. Some pretended they didn't see us, some gave us a pitiful smile, others smiled as the scene genuinely warmed their hearts, or maybe its because Red is ridiculously cute, and ate his dinner with impeccable manners. I have built a friendship with Sean, and now have him on a waiting list with the council to find him some permanent accommodation. In the meantime, I have bought a tent for them both, and once a week I book them in to a B&B to ensure they get at a break from the cold, a decent nights sleep, a shower and get to eat a warm breakfast at a table.

I have started this fund because I want to help more people, I want to talk to more people, I want to be able to buy more warm clothes, more fruit, more poo bags (for Red and other dogs), more water, more toothpaste, more toothbrushes, more soap...the list is endless...but perhaps if we all helped the list could shorten as the number of people we place and get back in to work increases.

I could talk about this cause for days and days, but I imagine I have already written too much, and lost many people's interest. But I will end with two things:

- Compassion costs nothing, so if you can't spare some cash, please spare a smile.

- You can't help everyone, but everyone can help someone.

Thank you for reading this, and thank you for anything you are able to give