Aid to Komso kids. (People: making a difference).

As in most hospitals in Russia, the conditions at the Komso Regional Children's Hospital in St Petersburg did little for their patients' spirits before the UK-based Children's Charity Volunteer Group came to their rescue. `The children can now enter an environment that is bright, cheerful and welcoming and not at all threatening,' says Ken Harper, the Chairman of the charity.

In 1994 the BBC made a That's Life charity appeal on the Komso Children's Hospital, named after the Komsomol street it is on. As a result 270 British volunteers went to St Petersburg to renovate the wards, rebuild the operating theatres and install two intensive care units--all within the incredibly short time of eight days.

The Children's Charity Volunteer Group played a key role in that initial effort and have been helping the hospital ever since. Recently they received a gratitude award from the Vice-Governor of St Petersburg for renovating the outpatients' department. `The true reward,' says Ken Harper, `is alleviating the sickness and suffering of the children.'

The hospital was built at the end of the 19th century and needs constant renovation. But with inflation outstripping state investment, there is not enough money even for medicines. The charity has been helping not only with the refurbishment work, but also with supplying medical equipment.

Along with the aid to the hospital, the charity helps kids in three orphanages--one in Ivangorod and two in Kingisepp. `There was one girl there wearing exactly the same clothes she had on two years before.' In November 1999, together with his son Ben, Harper delivered a truckload of `sorely needed clothes, equipment and toys to the orphanages and the hospital'.

During their last trip in October the volunteers refurbished the main entrance hall, staircase, landings, and the radiological department. They also hand-painted a large mural with fairytale heroes. `The last trip was even more successful than before,' says Harper. `And it was all done with good heart and spirit.' They also managed to bring two new hearing aids to help a deaf girl, donated by the chairman of Lavis Medical System Ltd.

At present there are over 150 volunteers who come from different professional backgrounds. They raise their own travel and accommodation expenses. Many of them are parents, who want to help children who are less fortunate than their own. Most of the volunteers go on every trip. `We have a great team of devoted people who know how to work efficiently together and also have fun.' Some evenings while they are in St Petersburg there is a special cultural programme organized for them, from sightseeing to a visit to the Mariinsky Theatre. At their farewell party one of the volunteers is rewarded with the annual achievers' award, and the children receive gifts, brought all the way over from Britain.

Ken Harper, whose job is as a building contractor, devotes much of his time to the project. He is driven by a strong desire to share his professional expertise.

Recently they have been officially invited by the British Consulate General to participate in the UK part of the programme dedicated to the tercentenary of St Petersburg in May 2003.

Anastasia Stepanova Website: www.komsokids.org.uk