Soldier Stephen Tremble is bringing hope to stricken refugees devastated by the crisis in Kosovo.

The 27-year-old private in the Royal Logistics Corps is working around the clock to hand out vital aid supplies to the war-zone homeless. His family back home in Knaresborough watch for news of him on the TV with a mixture of pride and anxiety.

Ex-gas fitter Stephen, who attended King James's School in Knaresborough and joined the army two years ago, has been serving at Brazda, on the Macedonian border.

Meanwhile, it emerged today that more than £500,000 has been raised through Unicef's UK appeal for the children of Kosovo already - and the cash is already getting out to needy families.

Aid worker Sally Burnheim has told how help is already getting through.

Vital aid is getting through to refugees

North Yorkshire soldier Stephen Tremble, pictured right, helps unload vital relief supplies for the refugees.

Private Stephen Tremble, left, from Knaresborough and Private Anthony Grimes, right, 21, from Liverpool, both members of the Royal Logistic Corps, work together with a German soldier as they offload aid supplies to be forwarded to the refugees

And his parents told today of their hopes and fears for their courageous son.

The 27-year-old private, in the Royal Logistics Corps, is working around the clock to dole out vital aid supplies to the war-zone homeless.

His father, Fred Tremble, said: "He feels very sorry for the refugees. It is a very sad situation but it is his job and he does it professionally."

Stephen's mother, Lynee Corless, said she had managed to snatch a brief conversation on the phone with Stephen two nights ago. "He has seen a few very unpleasant things but he sounds in good spirits. They all pull together at times like these. They'll all get through it just doing their job," she said.

Mrs Corless, who lives at Princess Close in the town, said she was glued to the TV screen every night for news of the troops. She said: "When we see what's happening we just hope he's all right.

"I'm pleased he's there to do something for them but I'm sure all mothers feel like me - proud but just wanting them to be safe."

And the refugees who were bussed away from a camp in Blace, north Macedonia, are still struggling to find relatives but are already receiving medical and hygiene supplies from Unicef, it was reported today.

Unicef aid worker Sally Burnheim has sent a despatch from Struga in Macedonia to tell Evening Press readers how charity relief is getting through.

She said Struga was a quiet picturesque town, nestled in the mountains that divide Macedonia from Albania which had seen "an extraordinary event" this week.

"Around 5,200 people were bussed in from Blace, north Macedonia, where they waited in appalling conditions for up to a week after fleeing conflict in Kosovo.

"Hundreds of local townspeople gathered in a parking area near the lake to greet the new arrivals and given them a place to stay.

"The local community has generously absorbed all 5,200 into private houses. But the vast influx of people has stretched the town's resources to the limit. Food and medical supplies are in short supply.

"After their ordeal, many new arrivals are ill and doctors fear outbreaks of epidemic diseases.

"Worse, almost every family has been separated during the chaotic exodus from Blace. Husbands, parents, grandparents and children are scattered in foreign countries that have agreed to give them temporary residence. "In the village of Veleshta, 4km from Struga, more than half the new arrivals are children, and there are new babies on the way. Yesterday, four refugee women gave birth in the local cottage hospital."

According to UNHCR, an estimated 125,000 Kosovar Albanians have entered Macedonia in the past weeks.

Unicef is working with ICRC and other agencies in Macedonia to begin the difficult task of registering and matching up children who have been split from their families.

In yesterday's Evening Press we inadvertently printed the incorrect telephone number for the Kosovo Crisis Appeal. The correct number is 0990 222233

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