Remembering my friend Paul Newman

Although it wasn't unexpected, I was nevertheless deeply saddened to learn of the death of Paul Newman.

It's particularly sad that one who has done so much for young cancer victims and their families should himself die of the dreaded disease.

I first met Paul Newman in 1990 when I was invited to visit Newhaven in Connecticut, USA, by A E Hotchner – who was the President of Newman's Own Inc at that time – following his trip to London to explore the possibility of linking with a children's cancer charity in this country.

I travelled with the late Professor David Baum, head of Child Health at the University of Bristol, who was also a fellow trustee with me of the CLIC (Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood) Trust.

David was able to combine the journey with an invitation to lecture at the nearby University of Yale.

Our first full day in Newhaven was taken up with meeting staff at Newman's offices, where most of the administrative work of his charity was handled, after which we travelled to The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp in Ashford.

The camp was only a year or so old and had been set up to provide respite for young cancer sufferers.

It had an amazing atmosphere – there were so many youngsters there having the time of their all-too-short lives, away from the dreaded hospital regimes. The camp was modelled on the Wild West town of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fame.

We met many of the children, young people and staff. It was a moving experience and we talked about it for many years afterwards.

In the evening, we assembled at A E Hotchner's beautiful home before being driven to a quiet restaurant where Paul Newman joined us for dinner.

As one who had seen many of Paul's films and who had always been among his most ardent admirers, I found it difficult to believe that I was actually shaking his hand and talking to him.

However, he very quickly put me at my ease when I realised how relaxed and laid-back he was.

There was an aura about Paul which was so pleasing and he had such charisma.

From the discussions we had, David and I were enthused to discover that a site in this country might be considered for a further camp.

It was some time later that David and I returned to The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp.

This time, we actually stayed in the stockade on site and joined in with much of the camp life. There was a summer picnic with Paul cutting a dashing figure in white boater and striped apron running the popcorn stall. In the afternoon, The Rosy O'Grady's Theatre was filled when numerous stars from stage and screen arrived from Broadway and around New York to entertain the youngsters.

At one time, it looked as if we had found just the place to locate a camp in this country when Drake's Island in Plymouth Sound came on the market.

Paul was very impressed with the splendid architect's drawings that were produced, and promised to put in the first $1,250,000, but unfortunately the feasibility study showed the costs would have soared due to the poor state of the island and the project was abandoned.

The last time I was in the USA was in 2002 when I called in at Newhaven to ask Paul if he would consider supporting the David Baum Memorial Appeal following David's tragic death in 1999 while undertaking a charity cycle ride.

Paul wasn't available, but soon after returning to the UK I received a cheque for $50,000 together with a typically kind note from Paul.

In the 30 years that I've been involved with charity work, I've been privileged to make many wonderful friendships and to meet countless lovely people. Occasionally, I've had the extra special joy of meeting someone with exceptional qualities – Paul was such a person.

While he appeared so relaxed and laid-back, he was so full of compassion for his fellow beings – particularly young children who were struck with life-limiting diseases.

He was a truly remarkable man with many special attributes.

He was a film legend who rarely – if ever – made a poor performance, yet more than that he was a charity legend who gave more than $250 million dollars away in the hope of easing the pain for those less fortunate than himself.

The original Hole In The Wall Gang Camp concept has been replicated in many other countries since, and grants totalling many millions of dollars have been given to numerous good causes to help sick children all over the world.

I count it among life's greatest riches that I spent time with Paul and that I knew him as a personal friend.

When the authors of my autobiography were in touch with his office for a quote for the book, the treasured message came back that he had become "a major fan of Bob".

Paul was famous for portraying others so well in his outstanding acting career, but to me he was best at being himself – the loving family man who cared so much for others.

He will always be my charity hero.