OUR Kosovo appeal is being taken direct to the stricken refugees this week - with the help of charity fund-raiser Edward Carwardine.

Edward, who is co-ordinating our campaign from his Sussex home, has flown out to witness the scale of the humanitarian disaster on the Macedonian border.

And he has been distributing a selection of Argus goodies to Kosovan children, including teddy bears and toys.

His trip comes as a flood of weekend donations pushes the total raised so far by the Argus and Leader UNICEF Kosovo Appeal up to more than £7,500.

Before leaving, UNICEF spokesman Edward, 28, from Bexhill, said: "The money coming in is helping pay for essential items.

"It is going to be very exciting to see how the money readers are donating is being used and I will be able to report back to readers on this."

The Tin Drum restaurant, Dyke Road, Brighton, has pledged more than £200 to our appeal after agreeing to donate ten per cent of its Sunday takings.

And Grand National punters at 21st Century Bookmakers, High Street, Rottingdean, were offered the chance to place tax-free bets to encourage punters to give their spare change to the appeal.

Managing director Jon Richards said: "So far, we've raised about £60."

If you have any fund-raising ideas, please let us know. To make a donation, call the credit card line on 001424 220956, or send a cheque or postal order made payable to UNICEF to: The Argus and Leader UNICEF Kosovo Appeal, 3 Cheam Lodge, Bedford Avenue, Bexhill, East Sussex TN40 1ND.

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