EMERGENCY aid appeals come and go.

Immediate crises are eased, new troubles flare up elsewhere and the spotlight moves to a new part of the world.

But in a country that five years ago was ravaged by war and atrocities, one charity refuses to stop plugging away.

Hope and Aid Direct ensures that the people of Kosovo are not forgotten.

The Hampshire organisation is again turning to Daily Echo readers for help as it plans the third aid convoy in 18 months to the former Yugoslavian province.

Don Wiggens organises the Southamp-ton arm of the collection and convoy.

He said: "We are trying to give hope as much as anything. Just going to visit them shows that we haven't forgotten them."

Don is one of four Southampton volunteers who will make the journey to Kosovo next month.

The group will be entering a country where political tensions threaten to reach boiling point, with looming elections and bitter infighting.

They'll be juggling visits to warring sides, driving two seven and a half tonne trucks filled with food and small luxuries through roadblocks and desolate villages.

But the team, who all give up their spare time to make the trip, say their only aim is to hunt out the most desperately needy - and help them.

Founded in 1999, Hope and Aid Direct is a voluntary organisation which collects humanitarian aid donated by the public, raises funds for truck hire, fuel and ferry costs and takes the goods directly to the recipients in person.

This autumn, for the first time, Don wants to fill handbags with cosmetics such as lipstick, soap and mirrors, to give out to teenage girls. This small gift is a luxury beyond their imagination.

Don said: "There's so much poverty. We throw away more food in a day than these people have to feed a family. They expect to feed a family with £1 a day. They really only have the clothes they stand up in.

"People in Southampton care about those who have nothing. Our past appeals have shown that. DailyEcho readers have been so incredibly supportive of us in the past few years.

"We want to make this convoy as good as the others, if not better - but we can't do it without their help."

WHAT'S NEEDED:

Two hundred soft toys, wrapped as presents, to give to orphans as Christmas presents.

Good shoes for children and adults.

Handbags filled with cosmetics, soaps, a comb, lipstick and perfume for teenage girls.

Footballs for children.

Food essentials such as flour, pasta, lentils, cooking oil, rice, salt, tea, coffee and sugar.

Meat-free baby foods.

Biscuits, sweets and lollipops to give out as treats.

Breakfast cereals, porridge oats and cornflakes.

Toiletries such as soap, shower gel, shampoo, toothpaste, tooth brushes, sanitary towels and toilet roll.

Washing powder, disinfectant, bleach and other cleaning materials.

Pencils, pens, sharpeners, crayons and exercise books.

Lighters (though not matches) and candles.

All donations to 1 Wryneck Close, Lordswood, or 8 Wea