The organiser of a mercy mission to Albania is hoping for a last-minute surge in donations.

Brett Baxter, a member of the Torpoint and Rame Peninsula Lions Club, has been highly pleased by the response to his Albania-Aid appeal but he is stressing that with just a few days to go before he heads to the Balkans there is a need for more financial gifts and medical supplies.

Brett, who lives in Torpoint, will be taking aid to a hospital and a clinic in the Albanian town of Durres which became a centre of world attention during the Kosovo crisis.

"I have been overwhelmed by the support that has been given," he said.

"But we are still in need of donations. There is a particular need for everyday medicines you can buy from the chemist shop. We also need pregnancy testing kits and family planning items."

The motor dealers, Vospers, have offered the appeal the free use of two Transit Luton vans and Brett would welcome financial donations towards the cost of the 4,000-mile return journey.

Brett and his co-driver Malcolm Barker from Looe, plus two other supporters, are due to head off on February 7.

"The Lions have arranged free passage for us with Brittany Ferries on a sailing from Plymouth to St Malo. We will drive through France and Italy and plan to catch a ferry across the Adriatic to Albania," said Brett who has taken aid to Albania twice before with Cornish Lions groups.

"I originally got involved when I saw the refugees piling into Albania because of what was going on in Kosovo. I thought there but for the grace of God it could happen anywhere and I felt I wanted to do something.

"In April 1999 I went with the Cornish convoy taking items which had been gathered at the St Mawgan airbase. Then I went again with a Hayle convoy.

"I have organised my own convoy because I wanted to help the people I had met in Durres. The hospital is short of modern equipment and medical supplies. I approached my club, the Torpoint Lions, to see if they would support me. They agreed to help and they have done so magnificently.

"I have had a good lot of support from the community in Torpoint, a lot of individuals have helped. Items for the appeal can be left at the Coffee Pot in the town centre.

"The 200 Club ran a gig that raised money, the Trevorder Families Centre has given a cheque, Carbeile Junior School raised money through their nativity play, St James Church had a collection and donations have been made by the Torcare and Four Seasons residential homes. Meanwhile, over 1,000 pairs of nearly new spectacles have been given through branches of Leonard Gibson Opticians.

"Lee Dean from the Sign Shop in Liskeard, who is a musician and singer, provided the entertainment at the 200 Club gig and he has signwritten my car and Malcolm's for the appeal - this has attracted a lot of attention.

"Rosemary's Café in Liskeard is also collecting items for the appeal."

Brett, who is a voluntary ambulance car driver after retiring from work for health reasons, has received several large medical items thanks to his contacts with Derriford Hospital and the Royal Eye Infirmary in Plymouth. These include kidney dialysis machines, operating tables, clinical scales and an ECG machine.

Nurses have been keen to back the appeal, donating cuddly toys, baby clothes and knitted clothes.

For more information on Albania-Aid, contact Brett Baxter on 01752 815443.