CHILDREN who still suffer the side effects of the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster were remembered across Solihull on Monday (April 26).
On the 35th anniversary of the event Solihull’s Chernobyl Children’s Project co-ordinator, Kath Ruane, is calling for more families to host two children when they visit the borough next year.
The project, which celebrated its own 25th Anniversary last year, supports children and young people with disabilities in Belarus, and brings children in remission from cancer for recuperative holidays in the summer.
Kath said: “Covid-19 prevented children from coming last summer and sadly there will be no holidays this year.
“But our work in Belarus goes on, and we look forward to inviting children here again next summer. We would welcome new families getting involved to host two children in their home for a fortnight again.”
The Chernobyl nuclear power station blew up in the middle of the night on April 25 and 26 1986.
Tons of radioactive debris and dust were thrown out of the reactor which was blown across Europe and beyond.
The heaviest fallout landed in Belarus and it is the children there who have suffered most – from cancers, diabetes, heart and respiratory problems and damage to their immune systems.
Some who were babies or young children at the time of the accident are now the parents of children born with leukaemia or with genetic disorders.
In 2016 the United Nations designated April 26 as International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day.
All around the world people will be remembering the accident and its health and environmental consequences.
For more contact Ken or Kath Ruane on 07807015161, email [email protected] or visit www.chernobyl-children.org.uk
