WE all have our own troubles and burdens to cope with. It could be a leaking roof, stress at work, worries about your child's homework or fears for the health of a loved one.

There's enough going on in our everyday lives that we can be forgiven for being remiss about thinking of others' misfortune.

But sometimes something happens that touches us deeply and spurs us into action to help people far away.

That is what happened to Allah Dittah when a terrible earthquake hit Kashmir in 2005.

About 86,000 people are believed to have died when the tectonic plates under India and Pakistan shifted on the morning of October 8. The scale of human loss is hard to comprehend. The 2001 census puts the population of Worcester at 93,353, which gives you some idea.

Some of us gave a few quid to the appeals that sprung up in the aftermath. Any who did is to be congratulated. Thanks for doing something to help.

But a few did much more. Mr Dittah, with help from Worcester South Rotary Club, farmer John Bennett, and others, is one of them. After fund-raising and cajoling, Mr Dittah is about to ship five ambulances full of medical equipment, towels, bedding and other supplies to the region.

For his selfless efforts and on behalf of those whose lives will be saved in years to come, we say well done, and thank you. Now, if anyone has a spare baby incubator, we hear there's still a space for one in the last ambulance...