Visit of Chernobyl children to Warwick Castle August 8th
Warwick Castle played host to children from Belarus on Monday as 12 teenagers in remission from cancer from the Chernobyl area explored the best of English castles courtesy of Merlin Entertainments.
The new Divisional Director of the castle, Nick Blofeld, joined the youngsters for a photo with Warwick Mayor Christine Cross and John Taylor, President of the Rotary Club of Warwick which has arranged these visits for the last 9 years.
Then it was off around the castle accompanied by costumed actors bringing history to life as a variety of medieval characters. The weather was blustery but stayed dry and a great time was enjoyed, clambering up the ramparts, being shown the skills of archery, jousting and the birds of prey as well as the castle dungeons.
The charity Chernobyl Children’s Project UK, Solihull branch has regularly brought the children from Belarus for a holiday to help restore their health. 30 years after the nuclear disaster the area is still highly contaminated, affecting the water and local produce. The young people visiting this year are all in remission from cancer and were accompanied by their doctor.
During a month in the UK they are taken to the seaside, into the country, and eat fruit and vegetables free from contamination allowing their immune systems to recover, thus prolonging their lives.
The children were tired but happy after their day out and returned back to their host families in Solihull.
Donations can be made to Chernobyl Children’s Project UK www.chernobyl-children.org.uk
