There was a time when British Olympic medal winners became household names because therewere so few of them. But the 67 medals at this year's Games in Rio and 147 at the Paralympicsmeant that the GB medallists' reception at Buckingham Palace was a crowded and happy event. Throughout the Commonwealth, there were equally joyful celebrations. Grenada, theBahamas, Jamaica and New Zealand won more medals per head of population than any othercountries.
Many of this year's winners spoke of being inspired by athletes of previous generations. Inspiration fed their aspiration; and having discovered abilities they scarcely knew they had, these athletes are now inspiring others.
A few months ago, I saw inspiration of a different kind when I opened the new Cambridgebase of the East Anglian Air Ambulance, where Prince William works as a helicopter pilot. Itwas not hard to be moved by the dedication of the highly skilled doctors, paramedics andcrew, who are called-out on average five times a day.
But to be inspirational, you don't have to save lives or win medals. I often draw strength frommeeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things: volunteers, carers, communityorganisers and good neighbours; unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special.
They are an inspiration to those who know them, and their lives frequently embody a truthexpressed by Mother Teresa, from this year Saint Teresa of Calcutta. She once said, "Not all ofus can do great things. But we can do small things with great love."
This has been the experience of two remarkable organisations, The Duke of Edinburgh's Awardand the Prince's Trust, which are sixty and forty years old this year. These started as smallinitiatives, but have grown beyond any expectations, and continue to transform youngpeople's lives.
To mark my 90th birthday, volunteers and supporters of the six hundred charities of which Ihave been patron came to a lunch in The Mall. Many of these organisations are modest insize, but inspire me with the work they do. From giving friendship and support to our veterans, the elderly or the bereaved; to championing music and dance; providing animal welfare; orprotecting our fields and forests, their selfless devotion and generosity of spirit is an exampleto us all.
When people face a challenge, they sometimes talk about taking a deep breath to find courageor strength. In fact, the word 'inspire' literally means 'to breathe in'. But even with theinspiration of others, it's understandable that we sometimes think the world's problems areso big that we can do little to help. On our own, we cannot end wars or wipe out injustice, butthe cumulative impact of thousands of small acts of goodness can be bigger than we imagine.
At Christmas, our attention is drawn to the birth of a baby some two thousand years ago. Itwas the humblest of beginnings, and his parents, Joseph and Mary, did not think they wereimportant.
Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life, and never travelled far. He was maligned andrejected by many, though he had done no wrong. And yet, billions of people now follow histeaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ'sexample helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them andwhatever they themselves believe.
The message of Christmas reminds us that inspiration is a gift to be given as well as received, and that love begins small but always grows.
I wish you all a very happy Christmas.
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