THE flight carrying this year’s group of children from the area affected by the Chernobyl meltdown will touch down in the Isle of Man today (Saturday, July 7).
Friends of Chernobyl’s Children Isle of Man bring over a group of children to the island each year and this year sees 13 youngsters heading our way.
The visits allow the children to leave the seriously contaminated environment in their own country and to detoxify their immune systems, still affected by the aftermath of the meltdown of the number four reaction at the power station on April 26, 1986. The disaster saw 190 tons of highly radioactive waste material released into the atmosphere.
Dental, optical and, if necessary, health checks are provided and the children live with host families during their month-long stay.
They take part in a varied programme of activities, both educational and recreational.
This year, the packed programme will include cookery sessions, visits to the Manx Museum, Laser Blast and the Curraghs Wildlife Park, plus there will be the opportunity to go horse riding and swimming.
There will be the usual tree planting ceremony towards the end of the month, which will see the children plant a tree to commemorate their visit. A farewell party will be held at the Manx Legion, in Market Hill, Douglas, on August 2, and the following day the youngsters will fly home.
The annual visits are organised by Norman and Joan Rivers, of FOCC.
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