Sir,

Through the columns of your newspaper, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me during the year helping me to raise funds for the autistic unit at Pembroke Dock.

Firstly, I would like to thank Geraint, a pupil at the unit, and his mum and sister, and my friends, Paul and Kathryn Blayney, for joining me in the Saundersfoot New Year's Day Swim. At the swim's presentation evening, the unit received a cheque for £700.

We held an Easter raffle which raised a further £415. The only downside of that was the cost of printing the tickets which was £160.

A big thank you must go to Steve Mandela, head of Seasons Holidays, for the first prize of a holiday for four to Lanzarote, which was definitely a big draw. Also I must thank everybody who donated a prize, as well as Mandy and Dai at the Chemist Inn for allowing me to do the draw and for serving refreshments.

An annual bowling match was planned during the summer at Saundersfoot Bowling Club when the village boys, plus a few star bowlers, hoped to take on the ladies. Unfortunately, due to a packed fixture list, the ladies were unable to field a team, so the boys had a match amongst themselves. A nice social evening followed when a raffle was held.

Once again, a very big thank you to all the businesses who gave a prize on the night. Also, a big thank you to Lizzie, Clair and Bernard for selling most of the raffle tickets.

With the bowling fees and raffle, the sum of approximately £250 was raised.

A very big thank you to chairman of the bowling club, Paul Blayney, and Saundersfoot Bowling Club for letting us hold the match. I hope we can repeat it next year.

All the money raised this year has been used to buy computer equipment, new musical instruments and items for the woodland garden which is being created in the school grounds for all the children in the autistic unit.

I would like to thank Clare and all the staff at the unit for all the hard work they put in and also Morgie, Titch and all the boys who have helped me over the years. You know who you are, so a big thank you.

Over the last four years, approximately £5,000 has been raised, so once again a very big thank you to one and all.

I am going to do the Saundersfoot Swim this year for the last time, so if anybody would like to sponsor me, I would be very grateful.

The unit is trying to raise funds this year to buy a minibus.

Macky Brace,

New Hedges.