STRICKEN families in war-torn Kosovo may be sitting down to the first proper meal they've had in years thanks to those generous donations that the people of Southampton have made to the Hope and Aid Direct Appeal.

Less than five days after Southampton volunteers Bernie Sullivan, Don Wiggins and Charles Lewry left the city in trucks groaning with mountains of aid-packed banana boxes - they have finally begun their life-giving work.

The three tireless volunteers left the city on Friday travelling a gruelling route with the rest of the Hope and Aid convoy made up of volunteers from across Britain.

Starting at Dover, they made their way through France, Belgium, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia before reaching the Serbia-Kosovo border where they were held for five hours.

On reaching their destination in Pristina they unloaded the banana boxes into a secure warehouse and indulged in some much-needed shut-eye prompted by the weary journey.

Yesterday was spent distributing the first quota of aid to Roma families.

Charles' wife Doreen, who maintains contact with her husband daily, said that despite the delays the volunteers were just glad that none of the aid was confiscated by the authorities at the border: "They are raring to go now and really pleased to be there. They just want to get on with the job and get to those that need the aid. All of them are safe and well."

They will continue to sort and distribute the boxes that Daily Echo readers helped to pack for families and children who have endured the most cruel suffering in their struggling land for so long.

The message goes out to those who were too late in getting their contributions onto the convoy this time - they are urging them to keep the aid to put towards the next trip out later in the year.