BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

21/06/2008

Chernobyl children given free eye-tests

CHERNOBYL children visiting Grantham for the second time were given free eye tests at Specsavers on Tuesday.

The 13 children from Belarus are aged seven and eight. They have been brought over to spend a month living with host families thanks to Friend's of Chernobyl's Children of Bottesford.

The children arrived on June 6 and will be heading back on July 4. They first came to Grantham in September.

Tracey Gell, assistant manager of Specsavers in Grantham, said: "As well as an eye-test we provide glasses for the children that need them free of charge.

"Specsavers have been offering this to the Chernobyl children for at least six years. It is nice to see the same ones coming back and seeing how much they have grown."

Bringing the children over for a month can be very expensive, so the organisation are always looking to raise money to keep the trips going.

Anne Ablewhite of Friend's of Chernobyl's Children said: "We fund raise 52 weeks of the year if we can to bring the children over.

"If we can raise ?12,000 it gives us a bit of leeway because you never know what's going to happen next year.

"We keep them busy every day and they loving doing all the different activities and visiting different places."

To find out more about the charity, become involved in fundraising or volunteer as a host family contact Anne Ablewhite 01949 842259 or e-mail anneablewhite@hotmail.com

CHERNOBYL children enjoyed the carnival fun.

Jenny Milner of Vivian Close brought Belarusian children Liza and Yuliya along on Saturday. The pair watched the parade and were shown around a fire engine by fire fighters in Wyndham Park.

Jenny, of Vivian Close, said: "They have had a fantastic time. It is the first time they have experienced anything like this.

"It is probably a bit overwhelming for them."

Source:

http://www.granthamjournal.co.uk/news/Chernobyl-children-given-free-eyetests.4206918.jp

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