United Kingdom Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji, Paul Welsh, or commonly known as the ‘Nasese runner’ will bid Fiji goodbye next month.

Mr Welsh served Fiji, which he called home, in his position for al­most three years.

He was accorded a farewell by the staff of the Sugar Cane Growers Fund in Lautoka yesterday.

He said it was final visit to the Sugar City.

Mr Welsh, who will depart the country on December 10, said Fiji has been nothing but welcoming.

“I’ve always been so welcomed, I feel a special affection for the West,” he said.

“I started my journey in Fiji in the West in quarantine at the Sofitel.

“From Sigatoka all the way to Rakiraki, and people have always been very warm and hospitable and I have met a lot of wonderful people.”

He said leaving Fiji to return to his home in London in the UK was sad because his family had collect­ed overwhelming memories while in Fiji.

“One cannot be struck as a new­comer to the Pacific by the warmth and hospitality of Fijian people,” Mr Welsh added.

“My memories here have been so overwhelmingly positive. I go away with fond memories and strong feelings about climate change and the impacts it’s having on coun­tries like Fiji and the Pacific, small island countries, big ocean states but the implications and the conse­quences are severe and visible for all to see and we must collectively do something about this.”

Mr Welsh also highlighted that the most rewarding thing for him was working with grassroots com­munities and charities trying to assist people who were less fortu­nate.

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