Charity Appeal for Heeley Host Families

For the past three years children suffering from the aftermath of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster have been enjoying respite holidays in Sheffield.  The Chernobyl Children Life Line Charity hopes to bring more children but Sheffield families need to be recruited to look after them.

So far 42 children from Belarus have enjoyed month-long respite holidays in Sheffield and the aim is to bring another 16 children, this summer.  The fallout from the Chernobyl accident contaminates much of Belarus and it is the children who suffer the most.  They consume contaminated food and breathe air which still carries radiation – factors that have the potential to damage their health, in numerous ways. Spending just one month in Sheffield, with host families from the city, eating safe, fresh food and enjoying themselves in the outdoors significantly boosts the children’s immune systems and cleanses their bloodstreams of the deadly radioactive Caesium.

Sheffield Link Chairman, Mick Ring, says, “We’ve achieved a lot bringing the children over and raising the money to do it.  These children really need the health benefits and a holiday of a lifetime, which is what we can provide them with.  They pose no health risk to host families, so people need not be worried.”

The charity is appealing for host families to take one or two children (usually aged 11-14), into their own home, for one month.  Families receive training and support for this and must undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check – which is the reason why hosts are required immediately, in order for the necessary processing to take place.

Regular host with the charity, Helen Moore, says, “Having the children to stay is such a delight – I think our family enjoy it almost as much as they do!  It’s really great to see the difference you make over the month as the children become more confident and enjoy experiences – such as a trip to the swimming pool or cinema – that we take for granted but are unheard of, back in Belarus.”

The children travel with one or two Belarusian leaders, who assist with language and communication between the children and host families and have a general role of care and supervision.

Mick adds, “We’ve had host families from all over Sheffield  – Mosborough; Heeley; Dore; Beauchief; Totley; Wincobank – so long as you can provide a safe, caring environment for a month, then just get in touch.  We will be happy to hear from you.”

It costs the charity £500 to bring a child over to the UK for a month.  If you’d like to find out more about hosting a child – or making a donation – please get in touch, by contacting the Chairman, Mick Ring, on 0114 258 9283 or email: sheffield@ccll.org.uk