Totally unnoticed in the states, an epic journey has been taking place for the past 8 months. Little Amal, a 3.5 metre tall puppet of a refugee child has been walking from the Syrian border, across Turkey and through Europe. Last week she made it to England, and yesterday celebrated her 10th birthday with the children of London, with events at St Paul’s cathedral, the V&A, Trafalgar Square, and elsewhere in London.

Thousands have come out to greet her wherever she goes. The 8,000km walking tour, known as The Walk, is organized by charity Good Chance, and ends next month in Manchester. The puppet, built by Handspring Puppet Company, South Africa, requires a team of three to operate. Best known for their work on horses and birds in the epic play, War Horse, Handspring have worked with artist William Kentridge, and theatre companies across the world.

My best birthday wishes to Amal, and great thanks for the love and understanding her walk has engendered. Not surprisingly, there are those who feel otherwise…