Irish Red Cross raises large portion of global funds for Beslan

"The children and staff of many national schools have worked really hard to raise this money which is so badly needed. I would like to thank them for their generosity and kindness," said the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, David Andrews.

The huge public response has helped to make the Irish Red Cross one of the largest single donors to the worldwide appeal, raising nearly a fifth of the money sought by the global appeal.

And the Irish government has also been recognised by the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent societies (IFRC) having sent Euro 200,000 to the appeal.

The Irish Red Cross appeal has now topped the one hundred thousand mark, with Euro 103,322.77 calculated today as the 40 day period of official Russian Orthodox mourning for the deaths comes to an end. The International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent societies (IFRC) is appealing for Euro 563,000 to send to Beslan.

Money is still being raised, particularly in schools all over Ireland and funds are urgently needed to provide long-term psychological support to the children, their families, and people living in the area. Russian Red Cross officials say that up to 12,000 people in the area will need counselling to come to terms with the loss.

A total of 338 children, parents and teachers died on 3 September, at the end of the siege which saw 1,250 people taken hostage on the first day of school a few days earlier.

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