Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 12/08/2011 13:46

Firefighters and support staff from Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service have once again pulled out all the stops to give some very special visitors a trip of a lifetime.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) supports the Chernobyl Children Lifeline and each year plan activities for the children of the disaster who visit the UK.

Emma Hobbs from CFRS said: “Cornwall FRS are determined to do their bit to help the children still living with the after-effects of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Many Fire and Rescue Services in the UK support the charity, because many firefighters and their families were affected by the disaster in Belarus.

Thanks to the efforts of fundraiser's in the Service, the work continues to benefit the children, but we need to help raise the profile and awareness to continue raising money to fund it.”

Since 2003, groups of children from Belarus have come to Cornwall during the summer for a month of rest and recuperation. The children live with host families in and around Cornwall and are treated to a full programme of outings and activities during their stay.

Over the summer, CFRS have hosted three fun filled days, the first at Newquay Community Fire Station at the end of July where firefighters arranged for an action packed beach day at Lusty Glaze.

Emma said “Because Belarus is a land locked country, for many of the children it was the first time they had been to the seaside so it was a real treat for them to ride the waves and play on the beach.”

The following week it was Bodmin Community Fire Station’s turn to host the children who enjoyed the thrill of a speedboat ride on Jaws and Sea Fury in Padstow; crabbing from the harbour wall and an adventure packed day at Crealy Adventure Park.

A grand barbeque at Bodmin Community Fire Station and a special visit from Route 38 car club who took the children for a spin in their amazing American cars, topped off the day.

St Austell Community Fire Station hosted the children on 10 August when the Eden Project gave the children a VIP trip around the site. Mark Paterson from the Eden Project remarked 'the annual visit of children from Belarus is always a positive and hugely satisfying day. Each year the overwhelming support of the St. Austell Community Fire Station personnel and Eden staff is magnified by the smiles and energy of the children themselves.’ The children also met cast members of Labyrinth; an award-winning NoFit State Circus and learned some skills of their own before seeing the experts in action.

The Sunflower branch of the charity is very grateful for all the help and support they receive from Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service and the fantastic staff who give up their time to help.

Emma adds “CFRS holds fundraising events to help fund activities for the children during their visit. From our perspective it is great to be given the opportunity to spend some time with these brilliant children, many of whom are related to Belarusian firefighters. It is very humbling and a real privilege to be able to assist in some small way to enrich and improve the quality of their lives. It is claimed that the few weeks spent in this country enjoying the best that Cornwall has to offer can kick start their immune system and enhance their quality of life and increase their life expectancy.

It was great to welcome some new volunteers into the team this year and we would like to thank all the businesses and individuals who made this year’s trips so successful.”

More information:

For more details and photos from this years events, visit the website: www.cornwall.gov.uk/chernobyl

http://www.edenproject.com/blog/index.php/2011/08/children-from-chernobyl-enjoy-day-out-at-eden/

http://www.chernobylsunflowers.co.uk/

Related item: http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7247