by Jenni Horn

Christian charity Blythswood Care is appealing for aid donations for people affected by flooding in Albania.

The charity, which has a depot in Strood, has received an urgent plea for help from northern Albania where persistent rain and melting snow has led to serious flooding over the last six days.

Pastor Dritan Prroj, who is based in the Eastern European country, told Blyswood Care: “About 5000 people have been affected so far. The situation is worsening every day.

The government has opened the Hydro gates as the water level is three metres over the maximum level. The rain has been persistent and there are fears the barriers will break - threatening the lives of a vast number of people.”

The Albanian prime minister Sali Berisha last Wednesday called the situation “a potential catastrophe” when he ordered the first evacuations.

The charity will be sending clothes, shoes, bedding, food and water purification equipment from their stock but still need more items.

People in Medway are being asked to donate packets of pasta (with at least six months before its use by date), blankets and money.

Ray Avenell , a volunteer at the Blythswood depot, visits Albania four times each year, said: “I know what your support means to the people who are affected by this flooding in Northern Albania and that they will share what we send amongst those who need it most.”

“By keeping the wish list simple we can get the aid through customs quickly and help as many people as possible as soon as possible.”

A lorry load of donations will leave the Blyswood Care depot on Wednesday morning.

The blankets and pasta donations can be delivered to the Blythswood Care depot, 32a Riverside 1, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Medway City Estate, Strood, ME2 4DP, or at the charity’s shops in Darnley Road, Strood, and High Street, Snodland.

Shops are open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays.

Any financial contributions can be handed in at the shops or sent by post to the depot. Cheques need to be made payable to Blythswood Care and marked on reverse ‘for Albania’