AFTER a hectic working life as a key member of a hospital intensive care unit team, Alan Brunskill is packing in just as much energy into his retirement years.

At weekends, the 53-year-old former charge nurse at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, uses his medical skills as a volunteer with the Territorial Army 201 (Northern) Field Hospital, based at Fenham Barracks, in Newcastle.

A military medic for nearly 40 years, he now holds the rank of captain.

Mr Brunskill dedicates the rest of his spare time to helping needy children through his support for a charity called Humanitarian Aid to Lithuanian Orphans (Halo).

Throughout the year, Halo collects items including clothing, food, shoes and crockery.

The aid packages are taken out in four convoys a year to where they are needed most.

This year, the group's efforts have been boosted by a £1,500 donation from Glaxo Wellcome, at Barnard Castle.

Mr Brunskill said that other contributions came from the public.

He said: "We collect goods and hold collections and car boot sales. We always take goods and not cash, and then we know that the aid gets to where it is intended to go."