Over the past few weeks staff at your favourite weekly newspaper have been collecting drugs and medication to equip an ambulance donated to The Smilies Foundation by St John Ambulance for use in Romania.

And last Thursday Deputy Editor Claire Smith presented the box of creams, tablets, supplies and other medical equipment.
Sammy along with Dr Suzanne Patton and Dr Thomas McNeilly plan to leave Ballymoney on June 1. They will take the ferry from Belfast to Liverpool, drive to Hull, take the ferry to Zeeburgge and then drive to Romania - an around trip of 2,500 miles.

Ballymoney man Sammy from the local branch of St John Ambulance explained: "We plan to arrive there the following weekend to hand over the vehicle to coincide with the official opening of the new complex which houses the church, school and medical centre.

"I would just like to express my huge thanks to the Times, not only for their brilliant news coverage but also for this box of 'goodies'. It's fantastic. Since the article in the Times I have received over 10 bags of stuff from local people, which is amazing - however we still need more help to fill the ambulance with equipment, drugs and medication.
"So I am appealing, once again, for items such as disposable nappies, especially larger sizes, baby powder and shampoo, paracetamol tablets and liquid for adults and children, rubs for joints eg Voltoral and creams like zinc and castor oil or E45.

"Other items that the doctors from the medical centre have requested are urine testing kits and blood sugar testing kits for diabetics and blood pressure monitor and stethoscope. Remember that every little helps!"

Anyone wishing to donate any of these items or wanting any further information about items for donating should contact Sammy on 028 276 66789.
Last week Robert Agnew also ran a fundraising concert and 200 people attended and raised over £1,400, which will help to buy even more supplies.