People I admire...

Matthew Parris is one such person. Many years ago, when my son was unhappy working in finance, he mentioned that he would enjoy journalism...but felt that it was too big a risk: leaving one job to start afresh.

I had always admired Matthew Parris. Out of the blue, I wrote a letter to him, asking whether he would be kind enough to give my son some advice. I did not mention this to my son. I hardly dare believe that Matthew Parris might give of his time to a perfect stranger.

Not more than a week later, my son phoned. Mr soop answered the call. I heard him say...'Matthew Parris? How did this come about?' I felt quite sick as I took the phone and heard the rest of the story. He had been invited to take tea with Matthew Parris in the House of Commons. As a direct result, my son left finance and travelled the world. He returned having enjoyed some marvellous adventures, which he subsequently wrote as travel articles and sold to newspapers...a first step in his own career as a journalist. All thanks to the kindness of one man.