It’s been two years since Russia invaded Ukraine and because of this, the charity Chernobyl Children's Project have been unable to invite children over from Belarus for a recuperation holiday.
The charity was founded in Glossop in January 1995 and by that Easter they had delivered the first reconditioned ambulance to Belarus. In July that year they brought their first group of children for a holiday to Glossop and Littleborough.
The aid and holiday programmes soon grew and now the charity's volunteers have hosted well over 5,000 children for four-week recuperative holidays; delivered hundreds of lorry loads of humanitarian aid to Belarus; and set up many programmes to support children with cancer or with disabilities.
For many years the charity has sent volunteers out to Belarussian summer camps to support holidays for the children who are severely disabled, and many professionals have offered their time to deliver training which has helped to change the lives of children and adults with disabilities.
However, due to Covid and the ongoing war the children have been unable to come over to England, or the volunteers travel to Belarus. But the charity still has a presence over in Belarus, particularly in Gomel which is the most contaminated area of the country.
Linda Walker, executive director of the charity, said: “We've had so many wonderful people working with us and we have made a difference to many lives.
“We've had so many lovely families in and around Glossop who have hosted children and I'm sure that those mothers and children that came over have wonderful memories of their time in Glossop.”
The team are still hopeful that eventually the trips will resume.
If anyone would like to donate to the charity visit https://www.chernobyl-children.org.uk/.
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