"Baby, It's Cold Outside"

I was walking though Glasgow last night and the temperature had really dropped from the morning when I'd left the house. I didn't have a jumper on, and as I pulled my jacket round tighter and tighter I had a quick and albeit short reminder of homelessness.

I was out in the cold only for an hour, the central heating would have kicked in by the time I got home. I was cold now, but that wouldn't be forever. I could knuckle down and cope until I got home.

We've had great weather over the summer and actually it's carried on into the autumn. We walk about in our summer clothes and our attitude becomes very carefree. It's great. However it got very cold last night, and I was caught out with only a few layers on. I got home and into the warm, and soon forgot about my quick paced walk to the railway station, how I'd pulled up my collar of my jacket and sunk my neck deeper and deeper down to keep warm - oh for a scarf. I was home now. Three children tucked snugly warm in bed, and an embrace from my wife as we talk on a comfy sofa about our days.

What if you don't have a home? What if you don't want to go back to your home because of abuse, violence, fear?

Today is World Homeless Day (10th October) and I'm reminded that while my story might be shared by a number of people, there are many who don't have somewhere warm and welcoming to go to at the end of the day. It isn't fiction, it isn't a movie that we can walk away from, it isn't a nightmare that we are going to wake up from. The reality is there are people in Scotland who are sleeping rough. There are people in Glasgow scared to go home because of the environment they'll encounter.

I'm currently working hard in preparation for the Glasgow Winter Night Shelter. Along with our partners there are many who care deeply about these issues, and give themselves tirelessly to help people in their immediate need as well as plan and campaign to change things for the future.

We're currently taking in all the harvest donations from churches and schools though out Glasgow, and I'm struck be peoples generosity and desire to help - Thank you.