Instead of asking for games for her birthday, three-year-old Zoe Hasselkuss toyed with the idea of helping others.

The result was a gift of $1,635 to the Kathmandu Kids Club ¿ a charity which helps children in Nepal living in poverty or suffering from physical abuse.

Zoe's mother Alex, a member of the Club, asked the parents of her daughter's friends to make donations rather than bringing presents to her birthday party. Together they raised $935, and insurance company ACE Limited ¿ where Zoe's mother formerly worked as a catastrophe risk specialist - then contributed $700 to the cause.

Alex said: "We thought this was great for a three-year-old because with children you can never start too early to instil compassion, being grateful for what you have and being aware that there are children in need of our help.

"The parents of Zoe's friends were very supportive ¿ and Zoe still got plenty of presents. The $10-$20 you spend on gifts in Bermuda can go so much further in Nepal, especially as every cent raised by the Club goes directly to Nepal."

The Kathmandu Kids Club supports the work of the Bermuda-based charity, The ISIS Foundation, which aims to make a difference to children in the developing world through health and educational programmes. Since it was established in 2006, the Kathmandu Kids Club has raised more than $300,000 for ISIS.

Kim Carter, Kathmandu Kids Club chairman, said: "This money will go a very long way in Nepal and we would like to thank Zoe and her parents for thinking not only of us but more importantly the children of Nepal."

Sharon Beesley, ISIS Foundation Director, said: "We are indeed very fortunate here in Bermuda to have so much and we think it is wonderful that a new generation is being taught the kind of compassion and generosity that the Island is famous for. It is very exciting to see people like Zoe inspired to do something to help those less fortunate than ourselves."

For more information visit the websites: www.kathmandukidsclub.com and www.isis.bm