On 5 May I turned 60. I did NOT spend it the way I had expected or had planned, but I certainly spent it in a very enjoyable manner surrounded by family, dogs, good wine and fun. I'm very lucky.

I have decided to turn yesterday's occasion into a small plea, particularly as I had time to appreciate my good fortune, having made a full recovery from Covid 19 and having been able to enjoy such a wonderful day.

I have been a member, now board member of St George's Society of New York for many years. It's a small and very effective charity, with a strong British connection, as you might imagine. A recipient of our support is a program very close to my heart providing assistance to British families whilst in New York receiving life-saving, experimental cancer care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital.

I know many of the families personally as I usually meet them at JFK and chauffeur them into Manhattan. I can tell you that a braver, more upbeat and positive group of people you could never meet.

Here's a link: https://www.stgeorgessociety.org/family-support

It says it all and if you could "buy me a birthday drink" in the form of a donation, I'd be forever grateful.