Chernobyl children make the most of respite care holiday

Around 3,000 children from Chernobyl are brought to the UK each year by the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline charity.

This group is special in that all the children are in remission from various cancers. Some have undergone major surgery to remove brain tumours, while others have had bone marrow transplants.

It is hoped a month’s respite here will prolong their remission and give them a much improved chance of living to adulthood.

The children are staying at a holiday cottage in Dinas with their doctor and teacher, and have been enjoying a host of planned activities, local food and Pembrokeshire fresh air.

The visit has been organised by Carole Alabaster, with the help of her husband Bryon.

Bryon said: “Almost every day there is something on for the children. They’ve been swimming, walking in woods, been on a river cruise, visited Cenarth Falls and St Davids primary school, and there’s lots more coming up like a trip to Folly Farm, which I’m sure they’ll enjoy."

On Friday, March 14 the children visited Llain Las sheltered housing complex in Fishguard, where they performed songs and poems for the residents, both in Russian and perfect English.

The manager there, Helen Lucas presented the group with a £200 cheque, which they had raised through various fundraising activities.

Helen said: “The children were excellent. It was all worthwhile seeing their happy faces. The residents also enjoyed themselves.”

The nuclear explosion happened in Chernobyl in the north of the Ukraine in 1986, but it is still very much an ongoing disaster, with new spots of radioactive contamination being discovered today.

Children and babies are contracting cancers at younger ages, with their blood containing large doses of heavy metals which destroys the immune system and internal organs.

To get involved in the lifeline project, and to make donations, contact Carole or Bryon on 01348 811325 or email carole.alabaster@tiscali.co.uk