Like most people I probably never gave the homeless a second thought.  They were either a nuisance, scrounges who didn't want to work or foreigners over here just for the benefits.  So why, you may ask, am I going to sleep out on the streets of Manchester (Manchester of all places) in the cold and rain to raise money? 

About a year ago my wife, Julie started to volunteer at the Cornerstone Homelsss Centre.  I was petrified that she wouldn't make it through the first day and would end up hurt or sold into slavery!  She did survive and came home a changed woman, it was love at first sight.  Life in the raw, helping people who for whatever reason have fallen through the net .  The stories she tells of mental and physical illness, addiction or just plain bad luck opened my eyes.

God knows I have many weaknesses myself but I am incredibly lucky to have a fantastic wife and family, a house to call my own and a career that I am proud of. One wrong turn though and this could be me.

That's why I'm supporting Cornerstone, to put a roof over someone's head next winter.  True lily a worthy cause.

Ged