Blog
Adopt a Better Way – our new adoption campaign
I'm delighted to be working with the inspirational Francesca Polini for the third year running to promote her national campaign for fairer adoptions during National Adoption Week, 5 - 11 November. She has rebranded her former campaign group, Adoption with Humanity,...
UK surgeons fight to save the life of Malala Yousafzai
Malala Yousafzai,the 14-year-old Pakistani girl shot by the Taliban in retaliation for campaigning on her blog for improved education for young girls, is to be treated at a British hospital after offers flooded in from around the world. Malala was savagely shot in the...
The Big Issue surrounding homelessness
I was shocked to read in the local press that homeless people in Cambridge have been attacked and fear being murdered, and that numbers of those sleeping rough is on the rise here. To mark World Homeless Day yesterday, I decided to learn more about their plight during...
Shift workers face increased risk of breast cancer
I was stunned last week to learn that shift workers who work through the night face an increased risk of breast cancer. This includes our emergency services, nurses and care workers, as well as call centre and airline staff. The revelation came from Prof Gordon...
The fear I share with India Knight
Sunday Times columnist India Knight today describes her fear of being confined in closed windowless spaces and small lifts, how she suffers from claustrophobia. I would like to reassure her that there literally is a light at the end of the dark tunnel, and she may...
How does Alex Ferguson get away with it?
In an era when business leaders are expected to harness warm and open relationships with the media, Sir Alex Ferguson plays by his own rule book. Credit where it is due, under his leadership, Manchester United has become the most successful football club in our...
Stand up to cancer – develop new biomarkers
Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK have joined forces to launch its excellent Stand Up To Cancer campaign in the UK to accelerate new cures through scientific research. Successfully curing cancer depends very much on how early the cancer is diagnosed. Discovering new...
Sir Terry Pratchett and World Alzheimer’s Day
I had the pleasure of seeing Sir Terry Pratchett at his latest book promotion in Ely Cathedral earlier this week. He is reputed to be Britain's second most read author, and can still churn out best sellers while suffering from Alzheimer's. I was among an audience of...
Tainted blood victims await their apology
It's never too late for an apology. The shameful slur against football fans at the Hillsborough tragedy and the cover up by police led to a national outcry and an apology after 23 years. Let me remind you about this 30 year scandal where victims still seek justice -...