Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

Eden at 05/08/2003 14:00

Child victims of the terrible Chernobyl reactor fire and explosion in 1986 have been hosted by Cornwall County Fire Brigade for two days, the 22nd July at Falmouth and the 5th August 2003 at Eden Project and then St Austell Fire Station.

The children have been brought to England by the registered charity Chernobyl Lifeline, which was started to help those children whose lives have been devastated by the effects of contamination following the Chernobyl fire.

Firefighters who were involved in the firefighting and subsequent clear-up operations in Chernobyl were instantly contaminated due to reaching very high leaves of radiation in a short time.

This resulted in the death of 17,000 firefighters, 70,000 becoming permanently disabled and many wives giving birth to sick children with weak immune systems causing a range of illnesses, most of which are terminal.

Divisional Officer Ted Simpson explains: “The Fire Brigade wanted to give the children something to make them smile during their months stay in this country. On the 5th August they were invited to experience the Eden Project. We then took them to St Austell Fire Station so they could meet the firefighters and be presented with gifts from Manchester United”.
He added: “During the months stay it is hoped that the food, drinking water and fresh air of this country will give a boost to the children’s immune system, and possibly extend their life expectancy. I hope that the two days with Cornwall County Fire Brigade can only assist in this aim”

Cornwall County Fire Brigade would like to thank Manchester United, ADT, Bookers and the British Fire Service Association for their support and contributions to the children’s stay in Cornwall.