Last week a paediatric consultant talked with some of his terminal young patients about what they had enjoyed in life, and what gave it meaning. All valued kindness, loved being with their families, found comfort in their pets. They enjoyed stories read by their parents, with heroes and heroines who made them feel brave. The seaside, people who made them laugh and friends who treated them normally were all important to them.

The consultant was much moved and tweeted this advice: “Take home message: Be kind. Read more books. Spend time with your family. Crack jokes. Go to the beach. Hug your dog. Tell that special person you love them. These are the things these kids wished they could've done more. The rest is details. Oh... and eat ice-cream.”

Contributed by Jean Howard, Church Warden, St Peter and St Paul