February 8, 2001 16:25: A CHARITY worker has just returned from a trip to a war zone to see how the victims of conflict have used a £500,000 donation raised in the charity's most successful appeal.

Andy Jong, 45, chief executive of Biblelands, an international Christian charity based in Willow Chase, Hazlemere, made a visit to the occupied territories in Israel following the blood and bandages appeal which raised more than £500,000.

Mr Jong, from Amersham Road, High Wycombe, flew out to spend six days in Palestine and Israel and returned at the end of January.

He said: "A lot of the clashes have calmed down a bit since what was happening in October and November last year. It is probably more depressing than dangerous at the moment.

"The amount raised was a fantastic amount and we got gift aid tax back from the Government. It is the highest amount we have ever raised through a single appeal.

"It was a national appeal primarily aimed at our own supporters and churches.

"The appeal was specifically for help for the casualties and problems caused by all the clashes in Israel and Palestine during the outbreak of the latest conflict. We don't take sides but most of our work was with Arab Christians and a lot of the funds are being used to support hospitals and medical causes where all the casualties are being treated both in Israel and Palestine."

One of the beneficiaries of the appeal was a specialist head injuries unit in Bethlehem. The unit already had five beds but with money from the appeal they can add an extra 15 beds to help the victims of conflict.

Other facilities that have been granted aid are a kidney dialysis unit in Jerusalem and a centre which makes artificial limbs in Jerusalem, which will be refurbished through funds from the appeal.

While in the Middle East Mr Jong, who has been chief executive of the charity for seven years, visited the relative of an acquaintance.

He said: "I visited the uncle of a lady I know and their house had been destroyed. It was just a complete wreck.

"There were 24 of them and all of that family were made homeless as a result. It was very distressing to meet him and see the despair."

Mr Jong said: "I came back really pleased that it is making a difference and it is going to carry on being effective with the long-term rehabilitation people will need.

"It encourages people there that there are others in other parts of the world who are concerned and are thinking about them."

Caroline Oldfield