For those unfortunate enough to find themselves homeless at winter, finding shelter and staying dry are a constant battle. Rough sleeping in these conditions can cause trench foot, pneumonia and tuberculosis. I am making a splash and raising some cash to help homeless people battle these unforgiving conditions.

Helen and I started outdoor swimming together this Summer. This is the first Winter season for both of us and the plan was to swim until it stopped being fun. That was until she decided to complete 16 winter swims in memory of her son, Luke, who would have turned 16 on 7 Dec. 

Luke was planning to do a sleep-out for St Mungos, before he died.

So now, having committed, I don't feel as though I have the luxury of stopping just because it is cold. Just as the people St Mungos support do not have a choice. 

This Winter is predicted to be the coldest since 2012 (and 2013 was snowbound). It will be hard, but if 2020 has taught us anything, it that we need to take care of each other.