BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS
DATE:
18/03/2010
Easter visit from Belarus children to Shirdley Hill with parishioners
by Faye Mulgrew,
CHILDREN from an area still affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster are enjoying an Easter visit to Shirdley Hill guide camp in Scarisbrick.
Youngsters from Belarus will be baking cakes, making t-shirts, learning how to make pottery all with the help of St. John's Church in Burscough and local volunteers.
Each year since 1995, 12 children aged from five to 12 have come to West Lancashire with one of their teachers.
Parishioners of St.John's Church first went to Belarus in 2005 to support orphanages in Borisov and a local church.
Different children and interpreters are invited each official visit which is usually around Easter time. The youngsters spend about four weeks living in and around Burscough and Ormskirk.
Vice chairman, Sylvia Rankin, 61, Ormskirk, who has been involved with the group since 1997 said: "The Special Aid Group started in 1995 and have been bringing children over every year for respite care since then we are the only group that brings disabled children.
"I've actually been to Belarus twice with our church, it was quite an experience and a very moving experience."
Fresh fruit, eggs, yoghurts, sweets, milk, biscuits and cakes would be welcomed at the camp as well as dishcloths, washing up liquid, hand wash and shower gel.
Sylvia Rankin also added: "It is very rewarding and also can be upsetting when the children leave I have made lots of new friends with the Belarus helpers who come with the children and keep in touch with them through email and letters.
"One my friends Nadia telephoned me on Christmas Day which was lovely."
The Special Aid Group have to raise around ?6.000 for the visit. Anyone who would like more information please contact Sylvia Rankin on 01704 893665.
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