TWO sections of the newspaper I like to read after the sport are the birthdays and 'where are they now?' section.

Last week I joined my old England partner, Graham Taylor, to help Bob Wilson, the Arsenal goalkeeping legend, raise money for Bob's Willow Foundation.

He and his wife, Megs, set up the ever-growing charity after the tragic loss of their daughter who was married and in her 30s. They aim to help people between 18-40 who are often terminally ill by giving them wonderful days out. They've held over 700 events.

As patron of the Solent Sports Aid Foundation, I also attended the latest lunch at the Rose Bowl where the recipients of cash donations to help young amateur sport with their training were four young yachtsmen.

The highlight of the lunch was the speaker - a certain Michael Channon.

Mick started off by telling everyone that he isn't a public speaker, and having mixed in the circles he has for so long, his language is often colourful.

But he said ladies in the room would no doubt rather hear his language than be deaf.

His highly entertaining and colourful talk not only brought a blush to some of the cheeks of the more delicate, but also taught the four young sailors a few more new words!

I'm sure the gathering of accountants and solicitors couldn't wait to get back to the office to repeat some of Mick's lovely stories.

In the evening I did my bit for Children in Need, responding to a call from another ex-sportsman, Paul Philp, who you may remember was a star of the Solent basketball team when the game was at its height a few years ago and Fleming Park was packed out for every fixture.

Paul, apart from being in the printing business, is a councillor at Hedge End and he got me to help out with the auction in the council rooms.

I was able to extract £50 for an Alan Ball-signed book from another ex-player of mine, Mark Blake, who helped Winchester City win the FA Vase last season.

In all, more than £2,500 was raised that evening.

As I was leaving, Saints legend Frannie Benali came in with his lovely wife and family.

Often the bad things that happen to players get mentioned, while other events like this are overlooked.