Spurgeons recently celebrated the 140th anniversary of its children's charity with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

The organisation was formed in 1867 when Anne Hillyard, a London widow, read an article by leading Baptist preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon. She donated £20,000 to establish an orphanage for fatherless boys.

Today, Spurgeons has grown into one of the UK's largest Christian charities, with more than 100 community projects in both the UK and overseas. The organisation works with children and young people from disadvantaged communities, marginalised groups and those with disrupted lives.

"Our work is tailored to the needs of local communities," said Brett Pitchfork, Marketing Manager of Spurgeons. "We work in partnership with churches and local authorities to deliver essential life-improving services to children and young people, aiming to give them hope for a better future."

The celebration to mark the foundation of the charity was held at the recent Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) in Sandown Park, where the charity also launched Spurgeons Network - a new scheme to encourage churches to engage with and care for children and young people in the community.