Bristol has one of the worst rates of homelessness in the country and 'people are finding themselves on the streets quicker than we can support people into suitable accommodation', as the City Cabinet Member for Housing, Paul Smith, says.

After volunteering at the Wild Goose Cafe (run by Crisis Centre Ministries) and seeing the struggles that homeless people in Bristol went through during the deep snows in 2018, I would like to support the charity's wider work by taking part in the 2019 sleep out.

This is not meant to represent the experience that homeless people face during a night on the street, but rather highlight the reality of increasing homelessness in Bristol.

Anyone who has had a sleepover or travelled with me knows I'm not always the easiest sleeper, so spending a night in just a sleeping bag on cardboard in whatever weather October brings us won't be painless!

I need to raise a £200 minimum but would love to be able to give a little more to support the people who need it. The money that I raise will go to supporting Crisis Centre Ministries with their work to help thousands of homeless and vulnerable people across Bristol with food, shelter and hope.