Chernobyl children recuperate in Westbury

A group of eight children from Ukraine  stayed with families in Westbury during  July for a much-needed recuperative holiday.

Every year the Chernobyl Children Life Line charity brings youngsters affected by radiation from the 1986 nuclear accident at the Chernobyl power station to Britain.

The Westbury branch of the charity raised the funds to pay for this year’s group of six girls, two boys and an accompanying adult. The cost of their visit, air fares being the biggest expense, was raised through donations, help from local organisations such as the Rotary Club and by holding supermarket collections and Christmas raffles.

The children, aged 12, are from Borodyanka, a town around 50 miles from the reactor site where many Chernobyl evacuees were resettled. Doctors say taking a short break from radioactive surroundings and breathing fresh air and eating uncontaminated food boosts the children’s immune systems, helping them to resist serious illnesses such as cancer.

Steve Lloyd, chair of Chernobyl Children’s Life Line (West Wilts Link) explains, “As dental and eye care are difficult to access in their home town and beyond the means of many of their parents, the children visited Westbury Dental Care and Haine & Smith opticians, which  kindly donated their services.”

Whilst staying in the Westbury area, this year’s group took part in a programme of activities including horse riding, sailing, ten-pin bowling, crafts, and a visit to the local fire station, all of which were provided free by local companies.

Steve continued, “Although the children speak little or no English, they manage to communicate using gestures and make friends with host family’s children quickly through playing and doing crafts together. Many of them become close to their hosts, nicknaming them “UK Mum and Dad.” Meanwhile, host families find the experience very rewarding and say it makes them appreciate how privileged their own lives are.

“Children living near the Chernobyl plant in the Ukraine and Belarus grow up with the threat of serious illness due to radioactive elements affecting their immune systems – up to 70 per cent of which are absorbed through food. As a result they are prone to developing thyroid cancer, bone cancer and leukaemia as well as other health disorders such as digestion problems, chronic bronchitis and heart, liver and kidney dysfunctions.

“Children are more vulnerable than adults to radioactive elements and a four-week respite break in a healthy environment reduces contamination levels inside their bodies and allows their immune systems to recover.

“Figures compiled by Chernobyl Children’s Life Line and the Independent Institute for Radioactive Safety in Belarus revealed children “offloaded” an average of 82 per cent of contamination during their stay in the UK.

“The students from Wiltshire College  foundation department made welcome boxes for the children. The boxes were full of all kind of goodies which helped them settle in with the host family. The students really engaged in the project and said they now realised how lucky they are compared to others.

Chernobyl Children’s Life Line is always looking for support from financial and practical areas.

If you think it is a project you would like to get involved with or become a host family, then please make contact on 01373 822148 or 07715 843872.