IN ONE’S life we meet some very good, remarkable and brave people and the courageous who do great deeds of heroism we give praise to.

But just now and then a pure diamond comes along, one that shines like a midnight bright star.

They stand out like a beacon of pure light that lifts you and which you cannot escape from, and this pure light and shining star is a young girl from Pakistan. Malala Yousafzai, 14 years old – all she wants is to have the chance to be educated but along come the Taliban who say: “No you can’t.”

But she has stood up to them and inspired hundreds of other girls to carry on, and for this the Taliban have shot her.

She is now critical in hospital. You can injure the person but this special bright light that this young girl is giving out cannot be conquered by force, threats, or a gun, and long after the individuals have faded away and been forgotten, this young girl’s beacon of hope will carry on through eternity.

I thank you for giving us hope for the future that we may all live in peace and harmony. Get well Malala Yousafzai.

My heart goes out to you.

BILL GOODWIN

Pebble Hill

Radley