This year as our winter/Christmas project I will be supporting TORCH. My long time friend Jason Angus does some amazing work along with other volunteers in York to help rough sleepers. When you are out and about doing your Christmas shopping in the next couple of weeks, maybe you would consider making up a small bag of helpful items for a rough sleeper in York.
If you then give your bag to me when you come along for PT, run groups or 'HiiT like a girl' classes between now and when we break up for Christmas, I will collect them all and get them to Jason, so that they can be distributed throughout the winter.
No need to include everything on the list - just what you can, even if it is just a small toiletries bag, it will mean a lot to someone.
Thanks very much to Jason and team for all that they do and thank you to all of you for reading this and hopefully getting involved in your own way by creating a little bag of good wishes for someone that you don't know. I imagine the fact that someone has done that means as much as the items inside.
Lindsey


Info from Jason below:
TORCH - Together Our Resources Can Help
Hi all, 
I've been asking the guys sleeping rough what would make their lives a little bit easier and we've created a wish list if anyone can help provide or collect these items?
Rucksack (Preferable large but any appreciated)
Towel
Shower Gel
Tooth brush
Toothpaste
Gloves
Hat
Socks
Underwear
Very many thanks

Struggling for motivation to get out and exercise now that it's colder and darker?
Undoubtedly, temperature and light have direct impact on our body rhythms in the winter months but ultimately we can override that.
Here are some ideas..
Invest in a bedside lamp that recreates daylight and wakes you gradually. I've got one and they are a much nicer way to wake up. Starting your day this way is good and its much easier to get out from under the duvet, if you're not staggering into the freezing darkness.
If you're planning to exercise early, warm the house on your heating schedule shortly before you wake for the same reason.
Buddy up - if motivating yourself isn't happening, plan to meet a friend and exercise together. You're much less likely to let them down.
Wake up to your favourite tune. Set your phone to wake you with something you enjoy listening to and bin the offensive alarm clock.
Set some goals - count miles per week if you run, strength gains with your weight training, workouts per week, power in your workouts.
Make a 12 week calendar from Jan to March to get your through the worst of it. Put it up somewhere and write down your committed workouts on there - plan them in.
There is no such thing as poor weather (I make an exception for ice) - only poor clothing choices. Invest in some winter waterproof and warm kit, get out and elevate your heart rate.
It's tougher at this time of year but its really worth it and winter work allows you to be where you need to be when spring arrives again.

Maintain your fitness drive in the run up to Christmas...
Mix it up - vary what you do and keep it fun but challenging.
Buddy up - if training alone isn't happening for you, find a group, class or partner up with a friend.
Plan - set a goal to keep you going.
Eat & Sleep - You're busy but rest, recover and fuel well, if you are to maintain your exercise routine properly.
Enjoy - find something that you enjoy and keep doing it.
Other people's journeys are not yours - focus on how far you've come and on your own progress.
Bring on some intensity if you can - push yourself, keep it interesting, get out of your comfort zone, speed it up a bit, do more reps, rest less in between sets, up your weights.
Challenge yourself - the run up to Christmas is not dead time - use it well and feel amazing and pretty satisfied by the time you tuck into your vintage Christmas pud.
Keep going