THERE is no doubt that this has been one incredibly challenging year.

For me the year started with a Covid battle that left me on oxygen in Southampton Hospital. It continues to amaze me how a virus can reduce someone who is generally healthy to a person dependent on intensive support from nurses and doctors for life and yet the Covid crisis is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg (excuse the pun) as those following the climate summit this autumn will know. It has been a year of crisis and struggle and many readers have asked me the question “so where is the hope?”

This morning I was reflecting on that question and I read an incredible true story. Jia Haixa was a young Chinese man who lost his eyesight a few years ago. His friend who lived in the same village Jia Wenqi lost his arms to illness. Both of them found themselves in serious trouble and completely unable to see how they could make a difference at a time of global crisis.

But the two men spoke together and decided that there must be a way of bringing hope to their community and the wider world. Haixa said: “I realised that I could be Wenqi’s hands and he could be my eyes."

Since 2002, the two friends have been on an incredible mission to plant native trees on an area of waste ground near their homes. Every day Haixa climbs onto Wenqi’s back to cross a river to the site. Wenqi then gives Haixa a spade with his foot and Haixa places a bucket of water on a pole between Wenqi’s shoulders.

By working together Haixa is able to plant trees and Wenqi waters them. Between the two men they have succeeded in planting and nurturing no fewer than 10,000 trees. Haixa commented: “it is amazing that by working together we no longer feel that we have any form of disability. We are a team."

This powerful story of hope at the end of a year where there has been much despair and loss, is a timely reminder that by working together we can genuinely change the world. We each have gifts; some intellectual, some practical, some financial. The key is that we use those gifts together to make a difference.

Let’s make 2022 a year of team work, of hope and of incredible transformation. May I wish all of you a hope filled and inspiring festive season.