Sending love to brave Harry

I’d like to dedicate this week’s column to my good friend Harry Leslie Smith, the legendary 95-year-old activist and writer who I’ve written about here many times. He has also stood in for me in this very spot a few times when I’ve been away.

This week, just before setting off on an inspiring tour to try to help those in refugee camps, he had a fall in Canada and has ended up critically ill in hospital.

With typical courage, Harry told doctors in intensive care: “I can assure you, I am not ready to die because I have too much work to do.”

With typical kindness, in a brief moment of consciousness, he asked his son John to buy a tin of Quality Street for the staff.

The thought of losing Harry is too much to bear, so I hope you will all join me in sending love, hope and solidarity to him and John.