Chernobyl Children's Lifeline seeks Worksop host families

Thousands are thought to have died as a result of radioactive fallout following an explosion at the nuclear power plant in Ukraine in April 1986.

To this day a 19-mile exclusion zone is still in place in the area surrounding Chernobyl.

Nearly 5,000 cases of thyroid cancer have been recorded in those who were aged 18 at the time of the accident.

Samantha Ferrol, chair of the Dukeries branch of Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline, told how many of the youngsters aged 8-16 they host still suffer with thyroid and vascular problems to this day.

She said: “When they arrive they look so tired for young children but after a few days they’re completely different children.

“It gives their immune systems a break - some say it can add two years to their lives.

“They come here with one backpack and one set of clothes but they go back with a suitcase full of clothes, over-the-counter medication and things for their families.”

During their three-week break the children take day trips to York and Scarborough as well as nearby Center Parcs trips – donated by the holiday resort.

The trip - which gives the kids an opportunity to have fun and ‘do things they can’t normally do’ is funded primarily by the charity - at a cost of about £12,000.

Samantha said: “I’ve been to the Ukraine and met some of the children’s families - they were so grateful.

“But the host families get so much out of it too.

“After the trips host families often stay in touch with the children and their families and there’s this constant communication over the internet.”

This July the Dukeries branch of Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline will be hosting nine children aged between 8-12 years old.

Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline was established in 1992 to support children and families from Belarus and Ukraine - find out more at www.ccll.org.uk/ho/.

Anyone wanting to get involved hosting a youngster from the Ukraine or Belarus in future should email [email protected].