The domestic response to the Kosovo crisis has been typically British. When faced with a problem, whether it is a leak in the roof of the local community centre or a vast humanitarian disaster, our instinct is the same: to do something practical to help.

So it is with the refugee appeal. When we first saw the overwhelming scale of the human suffering, the reaction was one of helplessness. But that was swiftly followed by a determination to rally round.

Across the country, everyone has been doing their bit. The people of North Yorkshire have reacted with characteristic generosity by donating time, money and goods.

Clive Phoenix set off today in a lorry packed with aid from local people and businesses. This will help to save lives. And the very presence of Mr Phoenix gives refugees the crucial message that they have not been forgotten.

The same can be said of the mission by John Simmons, City of York Council's emergency planning officer, to help resettle the refugees, and the aid work of local soldiers.

Back home, Gayle-Anne Drury and Sian Sharpe decided it was time to help. They mobilised friends and family in Copmanthorpe and, after a series of hastily organised events, have raised more than £1,000.

Simultaneously, the Scouts were reaffirming their reputation as good servants to the community. Across the county they were collecting blankets, clothing and other goods. The response was phenomenal. A depot has been filled with donations.

This munificence is mirrored in the reaction to our joint appeal with the United Nations Children's Fund. In a matter of days, it has raised thousands of pounds. Youngsters have sent in their pocket money, pensioners have given away a significant chunk of their pensions and anonymous donors have written large cheques.

Already the money is enough to pay for hundreds of blankets, or tens of thousands of oral rehydration sachets.

All the aid collected by these excellent efforts still seems dwarfed by the sheer size of the Kosovo refugee catastrophe. But when the North Yorkshire effort is added to that of every other community in Britain, it adds up to a significant contribution.

When this war is over, the refugees must be able to return to start rebuilding their homeland. They will need support then, too. But for now our practical approach to offering help is exactly what these shattered families need.

see NEWS 'Bags of help for refugees'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.