Many of you will know that E.Kt. Hugh Saville has been going round each of the Preceptories in the Province trying to persuade us to do our bit for the Anabta appeal and very successful he's been. Surrey, by the end of the appeal could have raised a figure approaching £10,000. Well done to Hugh and especially to all the Knights of the Province.

On Sunday, 17th April, Hugh 'ran' in the London Marathon. 'Ran' isn't quite the right word because E.Kt. Hugh 'Power Walks', a slightly slower process than jogging/running. Hence his time of 6 Hrs 21 minutes 34 seconds – slightly slower than the time he managed for the Chicago Marathon in 2006. However he reports 'that the weather made conditions extremely tough, with temperatures of around 20 Deg C (70 F) in the middle of the day. Hence staying hydrated with water and with salts was an issue – and a much higher number of competitors than normal were unable to finish'. His claim to fame was that he narrowly beat Sophie Raworth (BBC news reader) to the finish, although apparently she had collapsed at Mile 22 and had to be revived. Finishing under those conditions takes real guts.

The following day he was in surprisingly good “nick” and able to walk to work at his usual pace, with his feet in good condition, although his back muscles were a bit sore.

The really good news was that through the generosity of all those who had sponsored him, he will have raised about £1900 (after gift aid) for the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital. Hugh was in fact the only person running in aid of the 'Eye Hospital'.

Very Well Done Hugh!