Published: 02/02/2010 13:44 - Updated: 03/02/2010 09:44

FAMILIES from Ashbourne are being asked to come forward and play host to children living with the after-effects of a nuclear disaster.

 

Around 10 to 12 Belarusian children will be flying in for a month-long stay with families in the Ashbourne area as part of an annual holiday put on by the Ashbourne link of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline (CCLL) charity.

The trip is proven to be of incredible benefit to the children aged between 10 and 12 who live everyday plagued by the effects of radiation and poverty created by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Four weeks spent in the UK breathing clean air, drinking unpolluted water and living in an uncontaminated environment is said to add a year to the youngster’s life expectancy.

The children enjoy trips out to attractions such as Carsington Water, JCB and Alton Towers as well as staying with host families.

Organisers of the project, now in its 17 year, are asking for any families interested in being a host family or helping in any way, to go to Ashbourne Town Hall between 9am and midday tomorrow where there will be an information stand outside and a chance to register interest.

One of the organisers Paul Archer told the News Telegraph that they are looking for six families to host two children each.

He said: “The possibility is there for two families in close proximity to do two weeks each if that is better but we do need more people.

“The families need to be in easy reach of Uttoxeter and Ashbourne. I would ask anyone who is interested to come along to the Town Hall tomorrow to register their interest.

“It may be they don’t want to host in their first year but just want to see how it works. Also if they are just interested in supporting us on trips or by raising money we are always looking for people.

“People who take part always say what brilliant children they are. We are there just to let them be kids.

“We take them on trips but they are just as happy in a big open field with a football.” CCL would like to make clear that there are no radiation effects to people’s health by hosting these children.

More information about the organisation is available at www.ccll.org.uk.