Charity concert for Chernobyl children
From the Yorkshire Evening Post:
The Leeds branch of the Chernobyl Children’s Project, which brings children from parts of Belarus affected by radiation from the 1986 nuclear disaster to Britain for a much-needed holiday, raised over £260 at a charity concert in Armley.
The concert was staged at St Bart’s Church Hall in Armley and music was provided by the Morley and District Concert Band who played a selection of songs from popular movies and musicals.
The money raised at the event will go towards a four-week recuperative holiday in West Yorkshire for a group of 12 children from Belarus. The money raised will cover the cost of flights, visas and activities for the youngsters, who will stay with local host families.
Families in Leeds have been hosting children from Belarus for several years and the Leeds branch of the charity has been busy raising money to pay for this year’s group of 12. It has already held a charity ball, which saw a signed ball donated by Manchester United and a signed Liverpool FC shirt auctioned off.
Each summer, the Chernobyl Children’s Project (UK) brings around 400 children to Britain, some of whom live in highly contaminated parts of Belarus just miles from the Chernobyl plant.
During the summer months dust causes radiation levels to rise, making it important for as many children as possible to have a break for a few weeks of fresh air and clean food.
Doctors in Belarus say even taking a short holiday from radioactive surroundings can boost the children’s immune systems for at least two years, helping them to resist, or recover from, serious illnesses such as cancer.
Cameron Black, who plays tuba in the band and works as a volunteer for the charity, said: “we’re thrilled with the amount we raised. The concert was great fun helped by an enthusiastic audience who seemed to be joining in with almost every song we played!
“We’re really grateful to St Bart’s Church for letting us use the hall and for the help they gave us on the night. We were also really fortunate to have tea bags donated to us by Yorkshire Tea and the milk, sugar and juice given to us by Tesco.”
The charity needs to raise almost £6000 to bring the children over with an interpreter and with the money from Friday’s concert they have raised just short of £4000 so far.
Local co-ordinator Nicola Morse said: “The sad reality is that many of the children grow up with a chance of getting cancer and so these holidays give them a real opportunity to get some time away to rebuild their health.
“The children we have coming over this year are from a small village in the Gomel area of Belarus. Every day their parents $must give them food they know to be contaminated but they have no choice. It’s this steady build up of low level radiation that’s so dangerous. The four weeks we can give them living in a clean environment and eating healthy food can boost their immune systems and reduce levels of radiation in their bodies.
“All the families really enjoy hosting the children and we have some fantastic activities planned for them whilst they’re here.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve been given by local people and businesses so far. The more money we raise the better the experience will be for the children.”
Anyone interested in giving a donation to the charity or interested in getting involved can contact Nicola Morse on 07866183577 or e-mail nicola.morse@btconnect.com. The Chernobyl Children’s Project will be raising money at the Garforth Gala on Saturday 1 July from 11:30am.
The Morley & District Concert band are always on the lookout for new members. Anyone interested in joining can contact the band through their website www.morleyanddistrictconcertband.co.uk. The band will be playing Canal Gardens in Roundhay on 1 July at 2:30pm as part of Leeds City Council’s Summer Concert season.
