Chernobyl International Buffet

The West Pennine Branch of Chernobyl Children's Project is hosting an International buffet which will raise money for their long running project, in which children affected by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster come to holiday in Rochdale.

The buffet at Richmond Hall Function Rooms is part of their annual fundraising dinner. Project organiser, Stuart Carmichael said: “We would love people to sample our international buffet, be amused and entertained by Andy O’Sullivan and Dudley Doolittle and bid for items in our auction – all to give these children the holiday of a lifetime.”

The fundraising event is taking place to make sure that the children have the best holiday of their lives. They often look forward to their four week holiday for a long time, so it needs to be fun and memorable.

Littleborough Lions, Northern Rail, Bradford Ice Rink and various others have sponsored some of the activities, but the team need a final push to cover the rest of the activities, which is why they are urging people to join their international buffet, from 7.00pm- midnight.

In total, 8 children along with their doctor and interpreter will come over from Belarus, for their recuperative holiday in Rochdale. Their time in England, with fresh air and uncontaminated food, boosts their health.

During their stay in Rochdale, the children will be busy with water sports at Hollingworth Lake, rock climbing at Rochdale Climbing Wall and ten-pin bowling at Sandbrook Park, with a trip to Camelot for thrills and hopefully no spills on the amusements.

When the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor happened in 1986, around 60-70% of the radioactive material released settled on the neighbouring Belarus. Large areas were evacuated, however, the harmful effects of radiation are still being felt and many children are born with severe disabilities or illnesses.

Children aged 10-16 from Belarus, who are from village schools or who are in remission from cancer, have been coming to Rochdale since 1995, as the West Pennine section of the Chernobyl Children's Project was one of the original two groups to be set up. There are now over 30 groups across the UK.

The groups stay with volunteer host families for a fortnight then move to another family. There is 24/7 support for families from the rest of the group, who are experienced host parents and from a Belarusian interpreter and doctor who accompany the children.

The West Pennine Branch of Chernobyl Children's Project International Buffet is on 7 July at Richmond Hall Function Rooms, Lomax Street, Rochdale, OL12 0JR. Contact Project Organiser, Stuart Carmichael 01706 379817 for tickets.