Chernobyl Children This year is the 24th anniversary of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, that occurred in Chernobyl. Although the explosion of the nuclear reactor killed only two people directly, the widespread distribution of the toxic radioactive fallout across many miles of surrounding countryside has left a devastating legacy that today affects thousands of people. The land is heavily contaminated with radioactive material and will not be considered safe for thousands of years. Nevertheless, the land is being used for farming crops and raising animals and the toxic chemicals have become incorporated into the human food chain. As a result, the population suffers from the effects of radiation poisoning with a massive increase in cancers and impaired immune systems and hence the people are less able to fight off disease. The radiation blew north from Chernobyl into Belarus and inevitably, it is the children who have been born since then who are suffering the most. Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (www.focc.org.uk) is a registered charity which devotes its energies into raising funds to enable under privileged Belarusian children to visit the UK every year for a 5 year programme of care. The children stay with host families for one month and this month of love, care and good nutrition boosts their immune system and improves their health. The charity targets children aged between 6 and 13 years from orphanages and disadvantaged homes. These children are in great need and come from social situations that make it difficult for them to get the care that they require. In 2006 a branch of FOCC was established in Melbourn and for the last four years we have been able to bring over a group of around 17 children from Belarus. One of our aims is that the children, who arrive in the UK with little or no possessions, return home with as much clothing, medicine & essentials as possible. Closer to the date of their arrival we would very much appreciate donations of good unwanted clothing to suit children aged 8–13 yrs, especially warm coats,
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www.melbourncambridge.co.uk
boots, pyjamas and dressing gowns (the temperature is -40C in winter!) The children’s next visit to Melbourn will be June 25th and we are currently busy organising many fundraising activities to help fund their flights and programme of activities whilst they are here. We are constantly looking for new activities and places to take the children while they are with us. We owe a massive thank you for the continued support of many local organisations including: Melbourn Baptist Church, The Black Horse, Herts County Travel, The Green Man, too many to mention but we thank you all. If you would be interested in helping in some way, either by providing support by organising/helping with fundraising activities or helping to chaperone the children on one of their outings whilst they are in the UK, we would be very interested to hear from you. Please ring 01763 220651 if you can help – all offers of support would be gratefully accepted. With many thanks, Nicola Dunklin FOCC Co-ordinator, Melbourn Group www.focc.org.uk
