But imagine how it would feel without a roof over your head as you slept rough, either in a bus shelter, under a bridge or in a tent, as so many in the Shoalhaven will be forced to do this winter. While the rest of us might have our nerves jangled by the westerlies, or even suffered damage to property, what the homeless go through as winter draws closer and the wind cuts through thin clothing is beyond imagining for most of us.

Cast your mind a little further and think of the poor, battered people of Nepal, who are picking up the pieces of an earthquake that’s has destroyed countless homes, taken thousands of lives and obliterated so much of the impoverished country’s historical buildings. 

For many eking out an existence in the hard-scrabble folds of the Himalaya, people whose homes have tumbled down mountains and whose families have been torn asunder, the future looks grim indeed. 

So it is heartening to see locals pitching in to help. We have the Salvos and Vinnies running their traditional winter campaigns to help our own. By all accounts, their job gets more demanding with each passing year – not just looking after the homeless but providing help for families and individuals whose circumstances have pushed them to the brink. We ask that when they knock on your door, you dig deep to help.

We also have the good people at HMAS Albatross who within days of the call going out to help Nepal have amassed a stack of tents, sleeping bags and assorted equipment that will be put to good use. The appeal has now moved on from goods to money, for which there is still a great need. 

There is something heart-warming in knowing there are people who always rise to help others less fortunate. Winter and charity go hand in glove.