AN ELEVENTH hour deal to buy a house for destitute street children in Kiev was clinched amid Mafia death threats, reports Karen Barden.

Kendal-based charity New Beginnings had raised £20,000 to buy a centre which will provide the first real home for ten waif and strays and act as a health and feeding centre for countless others in the Ukrainian capital.

Founder Pat Wright MBE had travelled to Kiev with American dollars strapped to her in a body belt, knowing she faced a rough ride.

In a country riddled with corruption and bully-boy tactics, she faced an 11-day series of "bureaucratic and petty" obstacles before signing up for the house to be called Genesis, the evening before she was due to return home to Kendal.

Hopes are high to have the project up and running later this year, thanks to a massive response from Westmorland Gazette readers, who have so far raised £13,000 to help equip it.

Assisted in Kiev by Kendal solicitor Paul Smith, a trustee of New Beginnings, the two were told the 2,500 square metre site had been classed as agricultural land and could not be sold to foreigners.

"We were dealing with a broker, who was selling on behalf of Mafia people," said Mrs Wright. "I had asked to meet the sellers, hoping to get a reduction on the asking price, bearing in mind what we were going to do with the house.

"We met a man and his minder on a long, lonely road. They were in a black Mercedes with blackened windows. He just snapped out "no" when an interpreter passed on our request."

Mrs Wright said the seller had ordered the broker to deal with the agricultural clause immediately, saying if it was not sorted, he faced being shot.

"It was amazing just how quickly the clause was dropped after that," said Mrs Wright, now recovering from a chest infection, cold and the effects of "a very stressful visit".

"I'm a very tough person, but found the whole thing very difficult," she said.

Set in the village of Alexanderka, seven miles from the capital, the house is to have a resident caretaker to look after the property while the conversion is carried out.

Mrs Wright said trustees, attached to the Holy Trinity Church in Kiev, were now seeking architects and work would quickly be put out to tender.

"Big fund raising events are being organised. It is imperative we find another £7,000 as quickly as possible, so our £20,000 equipping target can be reached.

"We must have Genesis ready for the first batch of children by the autumn, so they do not have to spend another sub-zero winter getting their only warmth and comfort in Kiev's sewers."

Offers of financial help should go to Pat Wright, New Home, New Beginnings Appeal, Vineyard Cottage, 45 Appleby Road, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 6ES, telephone 01539 727158.

April 17, 2003 15:00