This year 2500 children will attend the special performance organised by Dundee businessman Charlie Kean, who has arranged numerous fundraising events and special treats for the children.

But while he fronts the Kean Children’s Charity, Charlie relies on his many friends and colleagues in businesses across the city to support his efforts, few more so than Alan Clark and his wife Vi.

This year Charlie chose to recognise their contribution by presenting them both with special medals on behalf of the charity.

“Every year they phone us up and ask us how many kids have you got this year?” said Charlie. “It goes up every year. This year we have 2500 kids.”

The show for the youngsters, including many in wheelchairs, will go ahead at the ice arena on December 21.

“You wouldn’t believe what Alan and Vi actually do for these kids. They have vans shipping stuff up to the arena all morning with the food for the kids. It’s a lot for a local business to contribute but they do it ever year.”

And if it wasn’t for Charlie wishing to show his gratitude publicly on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Clarks’ contribution would have remained widely unrecognised.

Mr Clark said he never looked for any recognition and was reluctant to blow his own trumpet but was fulsome in his praise of Charlie’s charitable efforts.

“I certainly don’t look for any recognition,” he said from his Annfield Row bakery. “Charlie is a customer. He is in here every morning at 5.30 for his breakfast. He has got his own work to do and all his charity work. I don’t know how he manages it.

“We help him in any way we can. When he comes up and asks for something, he gets it. I think Charlie does an amazing job.”

The bakery businessman was in no doubt the achievement medals awarded to him and his wife were a recognition for the efforts of all his staff.

“I don’t personally bake the stuff,” he said. “I just go and tell the staff what they have to make.”