A word on friendship. Rugby has given me some of the best and most generous people in my life. Some long standing, some new, but of all the areas of my life, this constant stream of great people who have come through rugby is unparalleled.

Two of these generously hosted me for a couple of recent sporting highlights. John Inverdale at Wimbledon for a Centre Court classic, and Professor Mike Parker for the England v India test match at Lords . I sincerely hope that they don’t mind me mentioning them by name.

The quality of sport on offer was exceptional, and so too the top notch wheelchair facilities. These have made a substantial difference to the way in which I, and others like me, can watch live sport despite our mobility challenges.

In other news, I’m pleased that I wore my Hemingways branded Kenya Rugby Union shirt to Wimbledon. A regular visitor to Hemingways saw me and came to shake my hand, saying how much he enjoyed his trips there, and a British Army Centre Court steward asked me specifically about Kenya Rugby, having been in Kenya at the British Military training centre.

I have encouraged you all to keep active in body, mind and spirit, as well as feeding your brains and bodies with DHA and other critical supplements in order to live to be 100 years old. Despite my Parkinson’s, getting out to live life to the full and having friends who help to make this happen, contribute to a longer, more fulfilled existence.