Putting this year into words is almost seemingly impossible. How does one quantify the amount of causes they have visited, the amount of inspirational people they have met and the sheer volume of passion and compassion witnessed?
When I signed up to visit 45 charities over the course of a year, one a week, I didn't fully comprehend how that would change my life. How this journey would shift my soul into a place that can never, ever be changed. This year without a doubt has changed me as a person, a man and a human being.
I guess the difficult thing for me is that as of right now, there is no one (that I am aware of) who has been immersed so completely in 45 different charitable organisations. A feeling and experience I cannot share with anyone else. But, today I want to try and share that feeling with you.
There really is only one word that I could even try to describe this year; overwhelming. So totally overwhelming that I am almost finding it impossible to put into words how I feel. Sad, upset, happy, ecstatic, emotional, humbled, inspired, motivated. The list goes on. Every single week this year I have met new people, seen new causes and experienced on the ground what it takes to get on your hands dirty and help those people who need it most.
Never in my life have I been brought to my knees and humbled like I have this year. Never in my 27 years have I ever looked up at the sky and been so thankful that these people, who I have brushed shoulders with, are here on this earth. The amount of angels that have dropped from heaven that I have had the honor of meeting is beyond belief. Thousands of people scattered across this country that so tirelessly dedicate their lives to making sure that people, animals and everything in between are cared for, looked after and respected.
The amount of visits I have cried at is uncountable. The amount of people that have given me goosebumps in insurmountable and the amount of sheer emotion I have felt this year is more than I will ever feel in a lifetime.
See - the thing is, the Nicest Job in Britain is more than just a job, it's a way of life.
I don't think anyone involved understood the impact that this role would have on the individual. And, to be totally honest I don't think even now anyone understands how this job has impacted my life; because, quite frankly, they haven't done it.
How do you even begin to explain the feeling attached to a young boy passing away at Martin House.
Being blindfolded at Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Caring for abandoned dogs at Animal Rescue Cumbria.
Looking after seriously ill animals at Wood Green.
Doing the tea run for terminally ill patients at a Marie Curie Hospice.
Watching the Great Western Air Ambulance lift off to save a life.
Practicing for the annual summer dance at Fitzroy.
Cycling almost 100 miles with double leg amputees with Help for Heroes.
Delivering over 10,000 meals to vulnerable people with Fareshare.
Watching open-heart surgery on a 10-year-old boy at Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Being a zookeeper at the Welsh Mountain Zoo.
Granting wishes to terminally ill children at Make-A-Wish UK.
Witnessing the youth of tomorrow become the new leaders of our society at Scouts.
Cuddling donkeys at the Donkey Sanctuary.
Watching talented artists deliver theatre to people with leaning disabilities with Theatre Alibi.
And Skiing with people who once thought they would never Ski again.
How could you understand all of that, in just one year?
And how could I possibly articulate those experiences, week after week into a single article?
The truth is I can’t.
I can't fully explain the experience I have had this year because in all honesty I am still processing it. But what I can muster into words is that it's changed my life far beyond any recognition. I am not the same person I was a year ago. Fact.
I walk into the festive season knowing that 2015 will always be 'that year'. A year I can never forget.
A year that I met so many amazing people, visited so many amazing charities and been involved with so many inspirational causes; but above all of that - made so many amazing friends.