30420-24MARTIAL arts triplets and their friends put in great efforts to raise cash for children's hospital equipment. Megan, Gus and Ellie Gardner, six, are members of Little Ninjas Tae Kwon Do club, in Purton.

The club organised a raffle which raised £135 towards sensory equipment for the Great Western Hospital's children's unit.

The trio's mum, Sarah, 35, of Purton, said that they hoped to raise a total of £4,000, and had already made £1,200, though events including raffles, sponsored marathons and triathlons.

She said: "Megan goes to hospital for one thing or another about once a week. She is what doctors call a complex child.

"It means she has a whole range of problems, including epilepsy and learning difficulties, so it's hard to explain exactly what's wrong.

"I don't like to dwell on that. These classes offer her the chance to join in with the others, which is great."

The group's club instructor is Victoria Orchard, who holds a third degree black belt and has represented England at World and European championships.

Victoria, 30, said: "I have known about Megan's condition since she started so when we had the opportunity to raise some money for the GWH where she receives her treatment, it was an obvious choice."

Natalie Prinsloo, of the GWH's fundraising department, said: "Victoria and her students have done a brilliant job and put in a lot of effort to raise the money.

"We are most grateful for this donation."