It may be thousands of miles and an eight-hour plane journey away but to some people in south Essex, the problems faced by people in Cuba are very relevant.

So strongly do they feel that several supporters of the Essex Aid for Cuba charity will be heading for London on Saturday to lobby US officials on the future of a six-year-old boy.

Pensioner Rita Weiss, who runs the south Essex branch of the organisation, hopes to be part of the picket outside the US Embassy, to campaign for Elian Gonzalas to be returned to his homeland of Cuba.

The youngster was emigrating to America when the ship he was on sunk and his mother and stepfather died.

Distant relatives in Miami claim he belongs with them, despite his father in Cuba appealing for his return. The Cuban government has demanded the boy's return.

Cuban immigrant activists in Miami, who largely oppose the Cuban communist government of Fidel Castro, say the boy would have a better life in the United States.

He has been living with relatives in Miami. Lawyers for the family in Florida have asked a federal judge to prevent his return before he has an asylum hearing.

Mrs Weiss said: "It is terrible that a six-year-old child who is distraught after losing his mum and stepdad is being used as a political football. Many of us feel very strongly about this boy's future and have written to Mr Blair calling on him to intervene on our behalf.

"To get our message across a picket has been arranged at the US Embassy on Saturday when we will be asking officials to hand Elian back to his Cuban dad with whom he belongs."

Last year, the Essex Aid for Cuba charity raised £96,000 of cash and goods for the country.

Equipment such as computers, stationery, toiletries and medication has been shipped out from the county to the state.

Mrs Weiss has been a supporter of the country for more than 20 years and she and her late husband Manny visited the country to mark their ruby wedding anniversary.

She said: "The people are lovely. They have not got a high standard of living but their standard of life is good. They have pulled themselves up by their bootlaces and are totally committed to education.

"Children are still having to use boards and chalk yet they can speak a little English. Toiletries are a luxury."

Campaigner - Rita Weiss

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