The number of people sleeping rough in London jumped 23%, year-on-year, at the end of 2023 to hit a 10-year high, as the cost of living crisis took an ever-deepening toll.

Many people who become homeless do so through no fault of their own but cannot escape from the streets without help.

Based in London, Glass Door coordinates the UK's largest network of open-access services for people affected by homelessness. Year-round, people find advice and support to end their homelessness through trained caseworkers based at partnering drop-in centres. During the hard months of winter, Glass Door also provides emergency winter accommodation.

I live in west London, have volunteered at Glass Door's winter shelters and have been very impressed with the charity's work. My wife is a regular volunteer. We have also participated in the charity's annual "sleepout" on the streets of London to raise money and awareness of the issue.

£34 could provide someone with safe shelter, a hot evening meal and breakfast for one night.

£105 could provide ten new guests with an initial advice session from our caseworkers at one of our partner daytime centres.

£234 could fund a "move-on" package with personalised support sessions and a deposit top-up to help someone move into stable accommodation.

I have been a keen runner since I was a child but gave up running long distances after suffering an injury when aged 19. Three decades later, I was inspired to run the London Marathon after volunteering as a baggage handler at the 2022 event. This is my first marathon and so I'm a little nervous since it's a huge jump from running a weekly 5km parkrun to completing 42.2km. But I've steadily built up my stamina over the past seven months and am now training five times a week.

Please give as generously as you can to help tackle an ever-increasing crisis.

More details about Glass Door can be found at its website, or social media accounts: instagram: @glassdoorlondon, facebook: @glassdoorlondon, X: @glassdoorlondon, linkedIn: @glass-door-homeless-charity

Me near the end of a long training run, March 2024

Me, in the green sleeping bag, participating in the Glass Door annual "sleepout"