I wish, I do wish, I had been given the same opportunities for a more outdoorsy life when I was a kid. I did a lot of sports, including judo to British national level (podiumed twice actually!), but I don’t think I ever thought further ahead than the end of school. I won’t even blame my parents because I am sure that I had as many opportunities to try sports as they knew about and could afford.

Today, it seems, our children have many, many more opportunities to try a greater range of activities and sports. And some of these juniors have aspirations to be stars of the future. I envy them their youth and energy.

I won’t dwell on my regrets (I don’t really have any) and as an adult I enjoy so many outdoors pursuits. However, it is amazing to read about inspiring kids. Here are three, chosen from the many, that I featured in my Sunday Mail column. See left page and right page