Brilliant holiday for Chernobyl Children's Project

Chernobyl Children's Project West Pennine group's farewell party

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We have had a great holiday this year even though, or perhaps because, we had our smallest group ever: eight children. It’s getting harder and harder to find new host families but this year we had some lovely hosts who made the party go with a swing. And the children were brilliant, too!

The children have now returned to Belarus, happier, healthier and very excited with their memories of their holiday in Rochdale.

We had lots of support from organisations such as M6 Theatre, Rochdale Climbing Wall, Field of Dreams Animal Sanctuary and The Moorcock pub, Art Works Co-op and St. Andrew’s Church, Dearnley, who gave our guests such a wide variety of opportunities for cultural, sporting or relaxing days out.

We couldn’t do it without them and the many groups who provide financial support such as Littleborough Lions and Andems Runners. It is very important for the children to experience another culture remote from their own. They go home with renewed hope, greater expectation of life and improved health. All the children who come to our branch are in remission from cancers.

It costs us about £8,000 per year to run the West Pennine Branch holiday, mainly for flights and visas and paying for the activities that are not donated so fundraising and recruiting of host families has started already.

Anyone interested in helping can get in touch with me and I’m happy to give talks to community groups, schools and churches.

Stuart Carmichael
Chernobyl Children's Project, West Pennine Branch
01706 379817 
dogoil@zen.co.uk

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/sites/chernobyl-childrens-project-uk-west-pennine-branch