In June a group of children from Chernobyl visited Barnsley for a months holiday to give them a health boost and to show them life in a different country.
Volunteer host families kindly let the children, aged 8, stay with them throughout the visit. Lots of people were involved and gave their time and services willingly to help these children who come from a very poor background, many with health issues - a long lasting legacy from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Clothes were donated, the children arrived with only the clothes they were wearing, they were given free dental care and eye examinations and they enjoyed a wide range of activities from visits to local schools, theme parks and museums to sporting activities and parties.
The Belarusian families are very grateful to all those involved, they believe that their children have become stronger, more energetic and active as a result of the 4 week stay away from the contaminated environment where they live.
A letter of thanks has been received from the group leader, Goncharenko Olga, who escorted the children, on behalf of the childrens families.
This is the second year that Barnsley families have welcomed children from Belarus into their homes, it takes a lot of people a lot of time and effort to organise but it is all worth while when children gain so much from the experience.