My son George and I will be sleeping out to raise money for the RBLI.

The sleep out is to raise awareness and funds for homeless Veterans through sleeping for one night outside in March.

George has reached an age where he is showing an interest in what’s going on around him, also my past as a soldier and my present as a paramedic.

This seems a great opportunity to combine those things and go on a bit of an adventure/learning journey that a school couldn’t teach. Whilst selfishly spend some time with him and watch his eyes open to new things. He has volunteered in soup kitchens in the past and loved helping homeless people which has given him a lovely humility at the young age of 9.

George and I want to up the ante on the usual sleep out. Therefore we will be out for 48 hours (not the usual 24), to create some authenticity we will have no money, some water, gas cooker, rations, sleeping bags, roll mats and £1 for the phone box in case of dramas.

We intend to meet homeless people in Leicester city centre and listen to their stories. We will be sleeping under a basha (a sheet that keeps the rain off, no tent) come rain hail or shine on 28-30th March.

This charity raises awareness to something dear to me so please donate if you can.