I arrived at Kings Cross this evening to the yuletide sounds of a large, merry, and rather wonderful choir...

...their song - hearty and festive - warmed the ears of us passersby...

...folks stopped...

...people listened...

...to lyrics they thought they knew...

...but with a good-deeding twist...

...Good Gym Wenceslas looked about On the feast of Camden Red t-shirts running around Spreading good and cheering...

...they did, honest!!

We started outside the Crick yesterday - John, Louise, Sam, and I started our evening chatting, sharing news, and warming up - before we set off on our steady run through festive and busy streets towards Tottenham Court Road 😊

Arriving at the quite majestic American International Church, we were met by Rev. Jennifer Mills-Knutsen, who welcomed us with kindness and warmth. Our group of 4 waited for a touch, before we were met by a man who looked eerily similar to me - I thought, now hang on a cotton-picking minute!!! 🤯🤯🤯 - and then I realised it was, of course, my dear twin brother, Steve, and the panic duly subsided. A short few seconds later, Lici joined us with smiles and we headed in for our evening of helping.

Welcomed by brilliant AIC lead Brooke, we got going quickly and easily and we were very soon joined by Jackie coming straight from the office (commitment! 💪), and our full team swiftly assembled 10 camp beds, dressing them neatly and tidily, providing a welcoming space for the AIC's winter shelter guests 👍

Taking a few happy minutes shooting the breeze with each other and the AIC team, we tidied the bags of bed linen away and discussed the core components of Christmas in the UK (parlour games ✅ a post-meal walk ✅ the joys of friends and family ✅) 🎄

I'm looking forward to coming back here on 10th January - sign up here, folks

And until then, a very Merry Christmas to you all :)