I've walked past them, many times. I've resisted looking them in the eye. I'm sure we all have.

Sometimes I've dropped a coin into a cup, or bought a copy of the Big Issue. I'm sure we all have.

In London, people are almost never born homeless. The people on our streets each have their own story, their own set of circumstances - that have resulted in them living rough.

These people are brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, and often fathers or mothers. They weren't born on the street - life put them there.

The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields provides a much needed haven for support, and a helping hand in addressing the causal issues behind homelessness.

This is not a popular cause, I know, but it is a very needy one.

I'm cycling 100 miles for this cause, and donating £500. Please help me double that amount.

Thank you.

John