BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

08/08/2008

Firefighters host Chernobyl visit

The children are from one of the areas worst affected by the disaster

A group of children from Belarus are experiencing a day in the life of a Kent firefighter as part of a month-long visit to the county.

The 18 children, aged from nine to 11, are at Ashford fire station as part of a trip organised by The Chernobyl Children Lifeline charity.

Their country was badly affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The children are staying with host families in the East Kent area to experience UK culture.

"It is a real pleasure to host the event and see the children enjoying themselves," said firefighter Kerry Mitchell.

The children's holiday has been arranged by Ashford and New Romney organiser of the charity, Sarah Day.

"Every year hundreds of children in the Chernobyl area are diagnosed with leukaemia, bone and thyroid cancer as a result of the nuclear disaster," she said.

"The charity brings over 4,000 children a year to Britain on month-long respite holidays which provide an essential rest from radiation and can extend their lives by up to two years."

Source:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/7548951.stm

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