Trip of a lifetime for nukes blast children

THE Chernobyl children with the Mayor Cllr Shadab Qumer and organiser Theresa Novotny (back, right)

CHILDREN affected by the Chernobyl disaster have been given "a trip of a lifetime" thanks to an Oldham-based charity.

Every year, Chernobyl Children's Life Line Oldham Link charity support a group of young people from Belarus and Ukraine.

Eight children from Liachavicy in Belarus are currently staying with seven host families in the Oldham area to receive respite from the effects of the remaining low level radiation.

Chair Theresa Novotny said: "The children have been visiting various locations almost something every day.

"Last week they went on a trip to Caernarvon, Wales, where, despite the weather, they went paddling in the sea. For many, that was the first time they had seen the sea. None of them had been on a plane before.

"The trips are an opportunity for them to see new things, be together and speak their own language, but it is fundamentally about improving their immune systems. That is the bottom line."

The blast at Chernobyl power station in April 1986 spewed radioactive particles into the atmosphere.

Theresa set up the Oldham Link more than 20 years ago to support the residents of Belarus who, more than 30 years later, are still directly affected by the contamination.

Every year the charity needs to raise £7,000 to host a group of young people.

This year's group, all aged nine to 10, arrived on June 10 and will remain with their seven hosting families until July 8.

So far they have visited two Oldham schools, Roundhay Park in Leeds, taken a tour of Oldham Civic Centre where they met the Mayor of Oldham Councillor Shadab Qumer, enjoyed a meal at Sainsbury's, helped out at a coffee morning and met police horses.

Theresa said: "Next week they will go to Chester Zoo, an activity centre and Oldham fire station."

Theresa and her team have supported more than 360 children from Belarus on these visits.

She said: "The children are so receptive to everything we do. It is a wonderful opportunity for them to meet other children from other countries and find out what life is like in England, how other people live.

"We can only bring as many children as we have hosts.

"We are very grateful to those who help us fulfil this wish to help this area of Belarus."

For information visit the CCLL website.