I won't pretend I know how it feels like to be homeless. I won't pretend I know how it feels to know there is a possibility every night that I will be without a roof over my head. I won't pretend to know what it means  not having a welcoming home, my own private space and a warm meal on the table. But what I can say is that over the past few years, I have noticed more and more people who are sleeping on the streets of London. And it's heartbreaking. I try and have a chat with them every now and again. I buy people a meal every now and again. However, I know this is not making a big difference in the grand scheme of things. And it feels like people sleeping out on the streets is the end product; we should help people not get into that situation.

On the Thursday 27 February 2020, I have decided I would challenge myself and see how it feels like to sleep outside in the cold, and raise money for charity to help prevent young people from facing the same prospect, every night. I won't make it comfy for myself that night, I will bring some warm clothes and my sleeping bag, just  the way people on the streets do. No pillow, no nice mat, just a piece of cardboard and the thought that people have been kind enough to donate towards this cause and have helped me raise as much money as possible than LandAid will spend wisely to help those in need.

This year, around 86,000 young people in the UK will be homeless. But what does that really mean? Homelessness is more than just sleeping on the streets. While this can be the most dangerous, and most visible form of homelessness, it is just the tip of the iceberg. Homelessness means not having a place to call home a place that is private, secure, affordable and where you have a right to stay.

So please, if you can, spare a few quid and help me raise some money. And if not, maybe at least help the next person you see out on the street and buy them a cup of coffee or a soup.

Lots of love,

Ioana Lorena