On Friday 6th March, I'll be sleeping outside at Lincoln Cathedral from 6pm to 6am with 3 cardboard boxes, no sneaking off to the car but, I'll be surrounded by a bunch of great people.

Why? Because for thousands of people across England, that's not a fundraiser, it's Friday.

I'm not lecturing, I just want to share a few things that changed the way I think about this.

Over 126,000 households in England are currently in temporary accommodation, the highest number ever recorded. Around 164,000 children are growing up in hostels and B&Bs instead of safe homes. Rough sleeping is rising, and on any given night, thousands of people have nowhere to go.

I know what that world feels like, because I've been in it.

At 16, I ran out of an abusive household. I walked the streets, I never slept on them, but I came close. I lost count of the sofas or addresses I had after 52, and I shared more friends' bedrooms than I can remember. No family support. No safety net. Just got through each day.

In my teens, I met a lady called Mandy at Women's Aid. She was the first person to ever say something genuinely kind to me. I swear to this day she's the reason I didn't repeat history.

One person is all it took.

That's exactly what YMCA Lincolnshire is doing every day, safe beds, hot meals, mental health support, and someone who says "you matter" when everything else has fallen apart. They are someone's Mandy.

This story has a happy ending. I got one. But not everyone does, and that's not because they made worse choices. It's because they didn't have a Mandy. Your donation can be the reason someone else gets one.

So yes, I'm going to be cold and grumpy and probably regret this by about 11pm. But if one uncomfortable night can help raise the money that gives someone a safe room and a fresh start, its worth it.

Here's how you can help:

🔹 Donate — literally any amount makes a difference

🔹 Share this page — reach matters as much as money

🔹 Come join us — sign up to the YMCA Lincolnshire Sleep Out

Thank you for reading this ❤️