CHERNOBYL CHILDREN'S PROJECT (UK)

Cheltenham and Gloucester Group enjoys a lovely summer every year hosting children from Belarus who are in need of a holiday away from the contaminated area in which they live and who are suffering, or are at risk of suffering, ill-health as a result.

We have hosted village children who live close to the exclusion zone, children in remission from cancer, children in remission from other illnesses and children with diabetes. We have long-standing families and newer families who host, some who have young children of their own, older children and teenagers or whose children have flown the nest, but still come back to help.

A day out sailing at Cotswold Water Park was as always one of the highlights for the children staying in Gloucester. The children came from contaminated villages in many parts of Gomel Region. Group Coordinator Helen Marcus is seen here with Valya who came with her sister Tanya, who has cerebral palsy.

We have some lively social events during the year, some for ourselves, but many of which are fundraising events. We bag-pack at Christmas, run a Race Night and Auction, a Dance with live band, a classical concert and a sponsored Duck Race! We need new families who are keen to look after 2 children for a fortnight and join in where possible with the other 2 weeks of events. We take the children sailing, ice skating, horse riding, to London, Drayton Manor, and on many outdoor events, not to mention discos and skittles!  We have great fun and work well together as a group, giving each other help and respite when needed. We also need help with fundraising, and ideas for raising money throughout the year. Please contact us and help in any way you can to give these children the holiday which will boost their immune system and help them fight the ill-health that is their legacy of Chernobyl.

Gloucester and Cheltenham News