A rest-bite with a Difference
In the summer, a group of six girls and six boys arrived from Belarus, the country most blighted by the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster. Their aim was to have a holiday in Ashtead.
Photo in London All the children breathe contaminated air and eat food grown in contaminated soil. "Their plight is often worsened by the lack of medical facilities and poor nutrition, crowded living conditions, unemployment and difficult family circumstances," says Ashtead resident Katie Lane. "It is estimated that a month in the UK can boost their immune systems to such an extent that their lives can be extended by up to two years."

Organised by the local branch of Chernobyl Children Life Line, the children stayed in pairs with various host families. They went swimming, rock climbing and grass sledding, visited a farm, a circus, the seaside and London.

"Local businesses helped a lot," says Katie. John Lewis in Kingston gave each child a pair of shoes and CCLL bought them a pair of trainers. Rayner, a local optician, gave free eye-checks and glasses, and the children had free dental work done by three local dentists. ESSO funded a disco.

It cost about £350 for each child to visit the UK and CCLL have been raising money by baking cakes, washing cars, doing craft and through raffles and self-defence classes.

Next year the group hopes to bring over even more children. If you would like to find out more, join in as a host family, or donate money or time to this worthwhile activity contact the organisers on 279381.

Photo at Dentists Photo of good-byes
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See also Other Links deserving a special mention - Chernobyl Children Life Line etc
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