There is something extremely heartwarming about the result of a simple talk and slide show to a group of young schoolchildren about mountains.

Yet the glow is tinged with great sadness, for it transpired that many of the youngsters had never experienced the joy of seeing a mountain, or a lake, or even a boat on a lake.

The mixed emotions followed the show at St Andrew's School by Charlie Bhowmick.

He told them of the mountains he had seen in Canada, Nepal and Austria. The children told of their sadness that they had never seen a mountain and wanted to climb one.

Charlie, being Charlie, showed the caring spirit which has made him a household name in the town.

He went on a fundraising mission and, thanks mainly to a huge contribution from Keighley Shared Church, around 60 youngsters are going to see the spectacular views in the Lake District. For those who can't go the event is being captured on video for the rest of the school and parents.

But the trip is much more than sightseeing.

Listen to the view of Charlie. 'We should give opportunities to our children, and encourage and support them to learn as much as they can at this tender age so they can become successful in their lives and become good citizens in Keighley'. What wise words from a truly wonderful man.

A number of schemes are run in this area where children and young people are taken out into the countryside to learn new skills and have fun, again often reliant on volunteers and donations. In a perfect world such schemes would be readily funded - but alas they are not.

So, to those people, volunteers and givers (and Charlie of course), on behalf of the children we say a huge public thank-you.