A SMILE OF HOPE

And it is thanks to everyone who raised cash for the stricken community that they are beginning to look to the future with renewed hope.

More than 300 people - many children - were killed in the bloody aftermath of the school siege.

The Dorset Echo launched a campaign to try and help a little and our readers responded magnificently - as usual.

The final tally for the appeal stands at £14,381.62 and it will make a huge difference to the lives of traumatised children.

The money is being administered by the Charities Aid Foundation through its Beslan Lifeline Appeal.

And we can assure you it is going to the people who need it most.

Money from the Dorset Echo Beslan Appeal will make a huge difference to the lives of traumatised children.

That was the message today from charity workers who are using the money to help families caught up in the school massacre.

Money poured into our appeal after it was launched in the wake of the devastating end to the siege in the Russian town of Beslan.

Children handed over their pocket money and cash given to them on their birthdays, elderly people gave some of their pensions, schools and businesses organised fundraisers and people from all walks of life dug deep to help us help the children.

And now that money is being put to good use after we joined forces with the Charities Aid Foundation to ensure aid would go to those who needed it most.

Olga Alexeeva, chief executive of CAF Russia, said: "In the aftermath of the atrocities, many children are still in need of costly medical treatment; others continue to need the support of psychologists and the people of Beslan need the strength to face the future. Through the Beslan Lifeline Appeal, Dorset Echo readers are helping to bring peace to this devastated community."

The money raised by you, our readers, will be used for medium and long-term projects to help traumatised children and bereaved families. Some will need ongoing medical treatment while others need counselling to help them recover from the terrible events they witnessed.

Olga added: "They may need longer-term and more expensive medical care. Some may need repeated surgery; others will require an expensive artificial limb or plastic surgery. We will also look to cover transportation and lodging costs for the patients, since most of these operations are expected to be implemented in Moscow.

She added that at this stage the priority is given to programs aimed at diminishing post-traumatic effect, in particular psychological work with children.

"It is important to approach the family as a whole, since the ties between children and parents and other relatives is very strong in this ethnic group."

Programmes for alternative education are being implemented as many children are too scared to return to school.

There will also be schemes put in place to train specialists in modern techniques of rehabilitation in emergency situations. In the longer term there will be initiatives to help traumatised children through art, sport and drama therapy. This will take place both in Beslan and in resorts outside the area.

There will be programmes to prevent social isolation of children injured during the tragedy through creative and educational programs. There will also be programmes to involve children and teenagers in projects that promote inter-ethnic tolerance with children and teenagers of different nationalities.

And there will be direct assistance to children who were traumatised to provide them with access to quality education through grants.

CAF has vowed that every penny raised by Dorset Echo readers is reaching the people it is intended for - and it is making a difference.