TWO-time world champion boxer Amir Khan dropped into Keighley today to visit children at Eastwood Primary School.

Youngsters and staff from Eastwood Community School, in Lawkholme, proudly hosted the Bolton-born sporting superstar after the pupils helped to raise thousands of pounds for a charity fund supporting orphans in Pakistan.

Amir told the Keighley children how he had been a hyperactive boy at school, "always messing around", and explained how boxing had given him the purpose and discipline he needed to succeed in life.

"You should always have ambition and you should always chase your dreams," he said. "And you should make sure you work hard at school, because school is everything."

Amir came to Eastwood after this school raised the most money through a charity cake sale appeal run by his foundation.

It was one of six schools in Keighley and Bradford taking part in Amir Khan Foundation’s Ramadan campaign’s #Cakes4Kids Bradford Challenge, which was supported by Bradford Council.

Each school was invited to support the appeal by making donations to receive cakes during Ramadan.

All proceeds from this campaign go towards the building of an orphanage in Sohawa, Pakistan.

In total more than £5,500 was raised for the cause by the Bradford district schools. Eastwood was able to raise the most, with the school community donating £2,170 for cakes provided by Regal Bakery.

Earlier this afternoon, (July 25) Amir delivered an inspirational speech to pupils in Victoria Hall, next door to the school.

"I always used to be misbehaving so my dad took me to a boxing club to let me burn off my energy," he said.

"Boxing taught me to control my anger and divert it into something positive.

"I stopped messing around and my teachers couldn't believe it. I'd become a completely different person.

"I went to the Olympics aged 17 as the youngest ever Olympic boxer from Great Britain. A lot of people thought I wouldn't achieve anything but I went out there and proved everyone wrong.

"I wanted to show people that it doesn't matter how old you are. If you want to be the best at anything in life it's about how hard you work and how hard you train."

Amir fielded questions from the children, telling them about some of the injuries he had coped with as a boxer, who had inspired him in life – world famous boxing icon Muhammad Ali – and responded to one question about whether he felt afraid of getting hurt during matches.

"It's good to get a bit nervous because that brings out the best in you," he said.

Eastwood Community School’s headteacher Suzanne Carter, and the school’s family centre manager Zaibun Khan said their school appreciated the "fantastic" support it had received for Amir Khan Foundation’s Ramadan campaign.

They said its pupils would remember Amir's visit for years to come.

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s executive member for education, employment and skills, said: “It's wonderful to see how well our school communities have responded to this worthwhile cause.

"All of the schools involved should be proud of the part they've played, and I hope Eastwood pupils enjoyed meeting one of the country’s leading sporting stars.”