THE Echo Beslan Appeal total today smashed through the £12,000 barrier - just two weeks after the fund was launched.

The money will now be used to help the people of the shattered Russian community to rebuild their lives.

Charity workers passed on their heartfelt thanks for the generosity and goodwill shown by Dorset Echo readers to survivors of the bloody Beslan massacre in Russia.

Hundreds of you touched by the plight of people scarred by the Beslan tragedy have dug deep to support our appeal, which ends today.

People rallied round in a final push to help smash our target of £10,000.

To make sure each and every penny of your money is spent wisely and responsibly, we have joined forces with the respected Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

The money will be channelled through its Beslan Lifeline Appeal and will be used on specific projects in Beslan.

CAF is looking after the long-term needs of those whose lives were tainted by the tragedy.

Wendy Green, a spokesman for CAF, said: "The atrocities in Beslan have left physical, psychological and emotional scars on an entire community.

"The generosity of Dorset Echo readers through the Beslan Lifeline Appeal will help to heal those wounds."

Russian-born Yelena Harris-Fletcher launched the Echo Beslan Appeal a fortnight ago to support her stricken countrymen.

A telesales advisor at the Dorset Echo, Mrs Harris-Fletcher, 25, from Weymouth, was delighted to find out the final total had surpassed £12,000 and thanked readers who gave what they could afford.

She said: "I want to say 'spazibo' - which means thank you in Russian - to each and every person who made a donation, no matter how great or small.

"I am so amazed at the result, I had no idea so many of the readers would want to help people in Beslan.

"It is so wonderful that people are so kind.

"People in Beslan will be so grateful, and perhaps it will make their lives a little bit easier.

"It is worth more than words can say if it can put a smile back on one person's face."