As it gets colder again outside have you done your bit to support the homeless?

Firstly, thank you all to those who have donated and if you've not you can still donate at my Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jameseder

Last night I slept outside to help raise awareness and money for fighting homelessness & poverty across the UK. I signed up only a few weeks ago and it was one of those evenings that was perhaps exactly how I thought and yet invoked reflection and emotion that I wasn't expecting.

The event had a few hundred CEOs and a cross section of people attending - whilst the earlier part of the evening felt like a normal gathering of people when it was time to head to the stands of Lords Cricket ground where we were sleeping it was made all the more real that we were advised to take an end of a row so it was easily accessible to get in an out if need be. I chose one end and started to naturally speak to the people nearest me.

Each person had their own reason for participating or connection to people and the cause we're supporting. For me with the busy-ness in our lives I think we often forget about those more in need than ourselves and as I begin the entrepreneurial journey again, yesterday during the day was no exception to the ups and downs that are experienced on an often hourly basis.

As I lay down however in my sleeping bag, on the cardboard box and concrete floor all of my challenges and worries faded away to think that it was just one night I had to get through and for some people the winter ahead is what awaits them night after night outside. We were fortunate the wind wasn't strong and there wasn't any rain so count ourselves lucky.

I wriggled and moved to try and get comfortable somehow, eye mask on and then off as heard the traffic raw past, the electricity generator go on and off and the mumble of speaking in the background. I finally managed to doze off at around 1am only to way up about 1/2 hr later wishing it was already in the morning - and now much colder.

As a lay awake trying to get back to sleep in between the rows of seats it dawned on me how lonely I was. Despite being surrounded near by with a few hundred people - I felt completely isolated from them. It gave me a sense of perhaps in a small way how isolating it could be on the streets and when people find themselves there it's often because their network around them has broken down without having anyone to turn to.

Causr my latest venture has been set up for a number of reasons including enable a more connected society. In an article last year in the Independent with the Title: The loneliness epidemic: We're more connected than ever - but are we feeling more alone? the article starts, ''social pain is as real a sensation for us as physical pain, and research has shown loneliness impacts on health in a greater way than smoking or obesity.'' Homelessness & Poverty are a demonstration in society when things go wrong. Creating a more connected society where people can interact face to face is key in helping to make this change.

As I travel to Vienna this Friday to re-trace my heritage and family routes to where my Grand Parents used to live I am ever so grateful for the love and support that I was given as I grew up and how fortunate I am each day to have friends and family around me who together help me be the best person I can.

Waking up for the final time at 5.30 this morning with no more than 45 minutes of continuous sleep I gathered my things and went to have a tea before heading home. I shared a few reflections as we sat in the warm room as I arrived back home I try and kick of the day with my head hurting and trying to concentrate I'm headed to bed for a couple of hours before the business starts all over again but this time with a bit more perspective and belief that what each of us does can make a difference.

Thank you again to all those who have donated and if you've not you can still donate at my Just Giving Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jameseder