Peace group raise over £400 for Fukushima nuclear disaster victims

Geoff Read working with some of the evacuees from Fukushima

Rochdale and Littleborough Peace Group has raised over £400 to send to the ‘Strong Children Japan’ project.

The project is run by former group member Geoff Read. Mr Read lived in Littleborough for 44 years and now works as an art therapist in Fukishima province Japan, where large numbers of children are survivors of the radiation leakages, following the explosion at the nuclear plant last year.

The fundraising evening with The Jangles Ceilidh Band on Saturday (21 January) was supported by people from all over Rochdale and beyond.

On behalf of the peace group, Rae Street said: “We are very grateful for the many generous donations we have received to forward to Geoff’s project and grateful to Littleborough Cricket Club and their staff and to The Jangles Ceilidh Band, who ensured that all those present enjoyed the music and the dancing.

“The Strong Children Japan project is doing essential work in Fukushima province, helping evacuees, not only to deal with the immediate aftermath of the disaster at Fukushima, but also the very long-term impact that the explosion at the nuclear power station will have on their environment and their food.

“Children are very susceptible to radiation. Geoff’s project gives them a real chance to express their feelings, including their anger and sadness at the ongoing dangers they and we face from nuclear power.”