As the festive season comes round again, we have good reason to celebrate that it is the season for giving, because, as Kendo points out, perhaps the most important aspect of that is the giving of hope.

The ‘Kendo’s New Horizons’ project is moving ahead well, with more and more willing participants coming forward to offer support for our new day-care centre for adults with learning disabilities, and we’re finding that the reputation of Kendo’s work to empower others is gaining ever-wider appreciation.

This week the Foundation team attended the Christmas lunch of the ‘Good Turns Society’, a wonderful organisation set up by the late, great Sir Ken Dodd which raises funds for multiple good causes. It was a spectacular event, hosted as ever by the inimitable Ricky Tomlinson, with incredible entertainment and the perennial astonishing atmosphere of heart-warming good humour.

Through his Zen approach to life, Kendo has long advocated casting-off stress because whatever challenges we face, it only makes things seem and feel darker. He subscribes to the maxim that “laughter is the best medicine”, especially when it’s combined with peace of mind – how else could the man behind the mask be the vehicle for Kendo’s Zen works as well as tell such outrageous tales about Les Kellett, Mike, Marino, and Big Daddy in his book?!?

In the spirit of the season, the Kendo Nagasaki Foundation thanks all at the Good Turns Society for a wonderful event, great company, and continuing to remind us that taking a light-hearted approach to life is immensely healing, especially when good people of good humour join together to help others. Peter pays tribute to the late, great Sir Ken Dodd and to Lady Anne Dodd for so ably continuing his generous charitable legacy.

Whatever challenges you may face during this festive season, be of good cheer and reassured and encouraged by the fact that there are good-hearted people working ever-more closely together to help you.