BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

05/09/2009

Chernobyl kids flying visit to airport

By Alex Hickey

CHILDREN from Chernobyl have been on a grand tour of Gwynedd.

Three girls from Lipen, a village in Belarus badly affected by the fallout from the explosion at the former nuclear reactor in 1986, were guests of honour of North Wales Police, at Caernarfon airport on Thursday.

They have also visited a number of the county's schools, the national watersports centre Plas Menai and other local clubs and groups, thanks to Chernobyl Children Lifeline (CCL), a charity dedicated to helping the people of Belarus.

Yesterday the girls, aged nine, 11 and 12-years-old, along with their teacher met with officers from the force helicopter team as well as a new member of the Western Division's policing family - Bobby the talking police car.

The Belarussians have been staying with host families in Waunfawr, Conwy and Bethesda for three weeks visiting various places of interest before they return home.

On the trip to Caernarfon Airport the girls also had the chance to meet with the pilot and crew of the helicopter and their colleagues on the Air Ambulance which is also based at the Dinas Dinlle airport.

North Wales Police business manager Gerallt Williams said: "We've had a link with the charity for a number of years now, facilitating various visits to local police stations and meeting with officers and staff..

"We are really pleased to have been able to assist Chernobyl Children Lifeline by arranging for them to meet with staff on the air support unit and see the helicopter, it's equipment and of course meeting our talking police car."

Terry McDaid, a Caernarfon based member of CCL, helped organise the trip.

He said: "The girls have really enjoyed their visit to North Wales and have had the opportunity to visit various places of interest and met with representatives from organisations such as the Lifeboats and RAF Valley.

"The children, their teacher and I would like to thank North Wales Police, who have made a few hours very enjoyable and unforgettable."

Trips are arranged annually for the children with funding being met through various local fundraising efforts.

Mr McDaid added: "We do as much as we can to try and raise lots of money to help fund these trips, and a big thank you goes out to all who have made this visit possible."

Source:

http://www.caernarfonherald.co.uk/caernarfon-county-news/local-caernarfon-news/2008/09/05/chernobyl-kids-flying-visit-to-airport-88817-21682838/

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