St Barnabas Clapham Common joined the Wandsworth Nightshelter when it was first formed in 2016. Since then, once a week on Thursday nights, from November to April, a team of ten volunteers prepare and serve a hot meal to up to 35 men and women in need of shelter and support before our guests bed down for the night at church, too.

For the last 5 years, I have joined in the annual, October Sleepout in the Duke of York Square along with a bunch of young people and other night shelter volunteers, and together we usually raise c.£2000 or so for Glassdoor.

Not everyone will agree with me here (!) but since turning 50 last year, running a half marathon has had more appeal for me more than than the thought of spending another night under the stars - and so here we are: doing my first official half marathon to help raise money for Glassdoor as they seek to address homelessness in London.

Grateful for trainers that combine cushioning and a carbon plate (if you know, you know) and yes, since you are almost certainly wondering, I do have a time in mind: 1 hour 30 mins. Whether I achieve it or not, it will be nice to be fueled by gratitude over the 21km course: thankful for the work that Glassdoor continue to do and grateful for whatever support you can give

PS if you live around the Clapham Junction area and are interested in volunteering with us on a Thursday night, get in touch separately!

Richard Taylor