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Just watched the 'Kili" programme and though celebrity is an anathema and of no interest to me I saw real struggles from real people, way out of their comfort zones, battling on through very real barriers, driven on by the compassion they felt for others whose desperate plight they had been bold enough to personally witness.

They were all very, very humble about their very minor discomforts compared to the plight of others. It's so easy to be cynical but I applaud all of them for stepping up to the line to make their small contribution to make a difference.

Of course we need to always remember and applaud the folk who work constantly on the front line, taking action every day to alleviate suffering. For these heroic folk I don't believe personal recognition comes high on their list of motivations for what they do. In fact, for both groups the most satsifying response from us to what they do is probably in allowing ourselves to be inspired to take our own personal action, however small that might seem. In a global world we're all in this together and no-one's contribution is without value.

The question for me is, whilst applauding and appreciating the courageous and compassionate actions of others, what is my contribution and what am I going to do today to try to make a difference.

I Listened to Moyles on wed's morning and he answered a few of the questions mentioned above.

The trip itself was sponsored by BT, who paid for the flights, entry fees, porters etc. so all of the money donated went to comic relief.

The texts are not pledges but actual paments coming strait off your phone bill.

The private jet was paid for by Garry Barlow and was from Amsterdam to RAF somewhereorother, not all the way back from Tanzania. They were on a scheduled flight for the rest of the way. Though I totaly agree that this was ill advised.

A lot of the gear the celebs where given has been put in compotitions or auctioned off to raise more money.

Having watched the TV prog, I thought they all came over really well and will no doubt inspire people who would never dream of trying anything like this to give it a go.

I'm not a fan of the celebrity culture. I would have been just as happy watching a bunch of "normal" people climbing Kili but I doubt it would have raised the same interest. And as for the PM meeting them all and caling them heros, that was excruciating! However we do live in a celebrity culture so I don't blame them for making the most of it.

As for the BBC spending its money, I'd rather see programms like this (maybe with less melodrama and overhyping of the dangers) than most of the bilge that's on most nights. 

Just to put the record straight, as I like Parky, he's a good bloke and I wouldn't want him to think I was a total twat

I think what they did was fantastic - to us lot, who regularly go up hills and camp (wildly on occasion) as a hobby, it sounds like a great holiday, but we must all have friends who think - you're mad, I don't do camping, I like beaches and 5* star hotels. Added to the fact that these celebrities - and none of them were Z list, they were all very well known people, i.e. not BB rejects - it must have been like taking a fish out of water. Ten days in Africa, 7 days up a hill was quite possibly their idea of hell.

I watched the programme, and for once I don't think they over egged it with how hard it was - and let's remember, to the best of my knowledge they don't spend their holidays in the Lakes, this was quite possibly the first time on a hill for some of them. I've been up Kili and followed some of their route and I think it was a fair assessment of how tough it is. Especially when I compared to myself to that Jones bloke on a rope on the CMD, and there was no snow on it, (oh how I laughed!).

With regard to how much it cost the BBC or to get them there (apart from the plane back), doesn't matter, they successfully brought this to the attention of the people, I donated - lots of people look up to the people who did the trek and therefore they quite  possibly brought the message to a young audience who it would never have touched has they as one posted suggested - just donated a load of cash and sat on their sofa.

But, because Gary Barlow chartered a jet back with his own money and it became public news, it just sours it a bit - for me. If he'd come back whatever way he went out, and then took himself off to Necker Island on the quiet, I'd have much more respect for him. It just took the shine off what they did for me. It didn't stop me donating as I did it last night!

gary barlow did look extremely knackered on the red nose programme. a private flight to raf somewhere ensures you're not mobbed by the media and you can get home as soon as possible when you're totally knackered.

my opinion on that aspect still remains "so what".

excellent post jim.