Young people between six and 11 years of age have raised £320 for Nia, a little Indonesian girl. The girls and boys are members of Saundersfoot Crusaders and the group is sponsoring four-year-old Nia through the Christian organisation, Compassion UK.

For £18 per month, all a child's clothing, food, education, medical and dental needs can be met. Children are sponsored right through their education until they are able to support themselves.

In December, the Crusaders went carol singing to invited homes, and the Crusaders also invited family and friends to sponsor them for a few pence per carol. The event raised £151.

Last Saturday morning, the Crusaders held a coffee morning at Hebron Baptist Church, where the group meets, and sold cards and crafts, cakes and preserves, bring and buy, bric-a-brac and records.

Mrs. Noreen Thomas correctly guessed the date of Nia's birthday and won a pot plant. Miss Anjeanette White won a tin of Cadbury's Roses as she guessed most accurately the number of sweets in the tin. The sum of £160 was raised at the coffee morning.

The group can sponsor Nia well into 2004 and also send her birthday and Christmas gifts. This sum also means that Saundersfoot Crusaders will be able to send additional gifts at Christmas time for other children in Nia's village who are registered on the Compassion programme, but are still waiting for a sponsor.

Photographs of the events will be sent to Nia and her family along with a letter telling her about the kindness of the Pembrokeshire people.

The Crusaders have had a busy few months of activities in addition to their regular weekly programme of games, activities, songs and stories. A team of Junior Crusaders were the winners of the West Wales Area Unihoc Challenge Cup and the Volley Balloon competition last term. They were Joshua and Harrison Palin, James Lloyd, Georgina Freeman and Georgia Davies. In January, Daniel Farmiloe, Joshua Palin, Elliott Freeman, Samantha Lloyd and Sophie Greer entered the Area Multi Activity Day at Milford Haven. All the Crusaders will be able to join the Area Fun Day next month when the Saundersfoot Group hope once again to win the Competition Shield.

For anyone interested in sponsoring a child through Compassion UK, the Crusader leaders have a video presentation and information about the programme and can be contacted on 811697.