Chernobyl childrens trust

[Clevercat]

http://www.rememberchernobyl.org/ourcharities.htm

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Belarusian Ray of Hope web page http://www.chernobylchild.org

 **We are looking for host families for later this year we are the WI coffee morning on 7th Feb
10.00 - 12.00
in Westbury Leigh community center
selling our Belarusian Crafts
and any one interested in hosting can come & have a coffee with us and chat about hosting

[RTT]

Sounds like an extremely good cause indeed.

[Clevercat]

THIS Christmas will be one to remember for hundreds of youngsters affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, thanks to the efforts of a Westbury-based charity.

Belarusian Ray of Hope, run by Henry Leigh from his home in Cheyney Walk, is funding and organising a massive Christmas party for children who are either past or present patients at a cancer hospital on the outskirts of Minsk, the capital of Belarus.

The cost of the party is going to be more than £6,000, so the charity is looking to the people of west Wiltshire for help.

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Mr Leigh, 65, said: "This will be the first time we have ever done anything as big as this, and it will just mean so much to the children and their families.

"As you can imagine something this size is going to be very expensive, so we need to try and raise as much money as possible and try and get plenty of people involved."

Belarusian Ray of Hope relies on donations, fundraising events and the help of people in the Westbury area to carry out its vital work in providing care and support to children and teenagers suffering the side effects of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Cancer is one of the major side effects from the radioactive fall-out, so that is why the charity works closely with the cancer hospital.

"We really need people to help us out by raising money through anything like coffee mornings, silent auctions or even just making a donation," said Mr Leigh.

"We can provide help and advice to people about how to raise funds, and if clubs or organisations want speakers in an evening, we can do that.

"Some of the children at the party won't have seen their parents for months, so to be able to bring them together will be very special."

In Belarus Christmas is celebrated in the New Year, so the party, which will include all ages from toddlers to teenagers, is due to take place on around January 15. As well as supporting children in Belarus, Belarusian Ray of Hope organises for youngsters to come and stay with host families in Britain to aid their recovery and give them a holiday of a lifetime.

To find out more about Belarusian Ray of Hope, contact Mr Leigh on (01373) 822603 or visit www.chernobylchild.org

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A LORRY packed full of much-needed equipment has left west Wiltshire bound for Belarus, where its contents will improve the lives of children suffering the effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The lorry, containing everything from bicycles to educational items and crockery to toilets, was loaded by more than 20 volunteers on the West Wilts Trading Estate on Friday, on behalf of Westbury-based charity Chernobyl Children in Need (CCIN).

CCIN, set up by Adrian Walker in 1999, supports children in and around the village of Ozarichi, Belarus by providing assistance in numerous ways, including undertaking building projects and providing medical supplies, toys and money.

Mr Walker said: "I was delighted with the amount of volunteers we had turning up to load the lorry, so it only took us about an hour and 25 minutes, and it sometimes takes a lot longer.

"We had five people from the Army in Warminster, a couple of people who even came from as far away as Hull, and a guy who runs a youth group in Westbury helped out with some of the older youngsters.

"After it was all loaded the lorry was sent up to Hull and put on a ferry for Lithuania, and from there it gets driven to Belarus and it should arrive by Monday."

The 1986 Chernobyl disaster was the world's worst nuclear accident, with a massive amount of radioactive gas being thrown into the atmosphere when the nuclear reactor exploded.

Due to the direction of the wind, much of the fallout fell onto Belarus and the more than 20 years later the country is still suffering the impact.

Many children are born with a host of problems with thyroid abnormalities, cancer and impaired physical development being particularly common.

The problems are made worse as many people in Belarus live in extreme poverty and lack the most basic necessities such as adequate food and running water. They rely heavily on charities like CCIN to provide help.

Mr Walker said: "Being able to send the lorries makes a massive difference and it helps the children's health.

"We try and take on a new school every year and they often don't have running water or drains and toilets, so it is very important that business and individuals donate items so we can make a difference.

Anybody interested in donating supplies or sponsoring a child in the Ozarichi area at a cost of £10 per month, should contact Mr Walker on (01373) 858584.

  wilt Times   

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Chernobyl charity's call for help
By John Ballard of the Wilt Times

A CHARITY supporting children suffering the effects of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster is calling on the people of Wiltshire for help.

Friends of Chernobyl's Children Wiltshire branch, is looking for helpers, and host families as well as revellers to attend two exciting events.

Every summer the charity brings children from Belarus between the ages of seven and 12 for a month-long stay in Britain to take them away from the radiation in their homeland and provide medical care.

It aims to ensure children make the trip every year for five years, providing a boost to their health and extending their life expectancy.

When the children come to Britain they stay in the homes of host families, but to ensure the trips continue more host families and volunteers are needed.

Next Friday the charity is raising funds by holding a Christmas bash at Larkhall Football Club in Bath, which includes a disco and raffle. Tickets are priced at £7.50. In February another fundraiser is taking place, with a ladies lunch at Bowood, with tickets for this event costing £20.

For more information on becoming a host or helper, call FOCC co-ordinator Heather Ward on (01225) 867734.

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http://www.wiltshiretimes.co.uk/news/8634777.Westbury_charity_s_latest_appeal/


 

These people are just fantastic in their efforts.
Have any of you had any of the children to stay with you?