I’m about to reach a milestone birthday and feel so privileged to have got to this point with the love and support of those around me and really everything I need to live a happy life. Not everyone can count themselves so lucky.

I knew I wanted to do something a bit different this birthday, to use this opportunity to give a little bit back. Given my career history, housing and homeless charities have a special place in my heart so it felt like fate when I found out West Midlands youth homeless charity St Basils would be holding a Big Sleepout fundraising event on the night of my 40th birthday.

So this December 3rd, from 6pm to 6am, the night of my big 4-0, I shall be stone cold sober, sleeping (if I can!) with just a sleeping bag and cardboard for shelter at Millenium Point in Birmingham to raise funds for St Basils, so that they can continue their amazing work and prevent vulnerable young people from having to do it for real.

If you’re a friend or family member I would ask please no gifts, give what you can to support this  important cause instead. For everyone else who knows me, I would be thrilled if you would support me in this challenge and pray for some forgiving weather please too! 🙏