With so many areas of the world struggling in deep poverty it can be hard to imagine that anything we do can make a difference.

But a group of toddlers from Horsforth and Cookridge have shown just how possible it is for people in the affluent West to have a positive impact on the lives of people thousands of miles away.

Around 60 children and their childminders have raised more than £1,500 for the charity Mary’s Meals, which runs feeding programmes in some of the world’s poorest communities.

It’s a sterling effort and everyone who took part deserves our congratulations – but the truly staggering fact is that the money they raised is enough to feed an entire school in Africa for a whole year. The amount raised averages out at less than £30 a week – a figure many of us would spend on a night out without a second thought.

With the difficult financial times we are facing in this country it’s easy to say we can’t afford to help other countries – but the fact is that what we think of as poverty doesn’t even begin to compare with the true desperation many around the world are facing.

What to us is quite a small amount of money can make a huge difference to the lives of others.

Star restaurant such good news

We are very lucky in the Otley and Ilkley area to have some excellent and successful restaurants – and surely one of the shining lights among them must be the Box Tree in Ilkley.

For the tenth year running the Box Tree has retained its prestigious Michelin star, marking it out as not only one of the best eateries in the district but the entire country.

The success of the Box Tree is not just good news for its owners – good restaurants gain word of mouth recognition and their reputation spreads far and wide.

This then creates yet another reason for people to visit the Otley and Ilkley area and keep our local economy booming.

Michelin stars are not handed out lightly, and the fact the Box Tree has maintained its reputation and service for a decade is testimony to the hard work of every single person involved with the venture.

The restaurant has a long and illustrious history dating back more than half a century, and its success contributes to a wider gold-standard dining scene in Yorkshire, which boasts more Michelin stars than anywhere else outside London.

Long may its success continue to keep the restaurant at the top of this very competitive league and to keep bringing more people into the area to enjoy its fare.