Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

at 29/07/2004 10:00

Child victims of the terrible Chernobyl reactor fire and explosion in 1986 are being hosted by Cornwall County Fire Brigade for three days, the 29th July at the Eden Project, 2nd August at Crealy Adventure Park and the 9th August at Flambards.

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 levels 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.

Firefighter Ali Rae explains: “Cornwall County Fire Brigade wanted to give the children something to make them smile during their stay in this country. There are twelve children visiting the county aged between 9 – 15 years old. Each child will receive a goody bag and gift on the days out, and admission and lunches are being provided free of charge by the attractions”.
She added: “We would like to thank the attractions for their hospitality and hope that the food, drinking water and fresh air of this country will give a boost to the children’s immune system. After a day out at each attraction the children will go back to the local fire station for a barbeque and games.”