MORE than 40 people turned up to help load a truck with aid destined for Romania.

With only two days to go, Convoy Aid's Rod Jones was beginning to think he and his wife would be the only ones lifting the 42 tons of humanitarian aid local people had collected.

But Stockton-born Army Sergeant Gary Hill rounded up five of his colleagues from the 38 Engineering Regiment at their base in Ripon, to help out.

He said: "We have seen first-hand the poverty that exists in places like Iraq and Kosovo, so we know how these people struggle.

"This was the least we could do and, next time, I will bring box-loads of stuff from the camp, as well as the men needed to load it."

As well as the squaddies, volunteers of all ages turned out in the wintry weather to help load Convoy Aid's truck.

Mr Jones said: "This turnout has restored my faith in humanity. It was getting to the point were I was panicking as we had all these boxes to be loaded, but no one to help us.

"It was great of Gary to bring his friends to help. His forklift truck experience was a great bonus. Without all these volunteers turning up, the desperately poor of Romania would have missed out on a truck load of goods.

"I am absolutely delighted that we will be able to go fully loaded because, as the winter draws in across Romania, the clothes and blankets we are taking with us will make all the difference."

For 15 years, Convoy Aid has sent hundreds of tonnes of basic living essentials from Teesside to remote communities in Romania.

Mr Jones added: "We have to thank everyone that has helped us over the years and I only hope it continues as the problems are not just going to go away."