The children of Chernobyl enjoyed their visit to Formby

Gianni of Don Luigi's restaurant recently and very kindly invited a group of 10 children from Belarus as part of the Chernobyl Children's Life Line charity, for an evening meal to celebrate a little girls 10th birthday. The nationwide charity brings over 4,000 children from Belarus to the UK each year for a healthy holiday giving them four weeks of fresh air, uncontaminated food, as well as dental and eye check ups. The children that visit live in areas contaminated by the Chernobyl disaster. An itinerary is arranged for them of fun, games and many new experiences.

Each year the Formby branch invite a small group of children to the area as a way to help boost the children's immune systems for at least two years, helping them to resist or recover from serious illness. While they are here they stay with a host family, and every day they have somewhere exciting to go, Farmer Ted's, Knowsley Safari Park, The Fire Brigade, Cadbury's World to name just a few, each day something new is packed into their day and they go home with lots of memories and photos of their trip.

Linda Feeney from the charity Chernobyl Children's Life Line, Sefton Link said: "This group of ten children arrived on Saturday 3rd June and have been swimming at the Dunes Southport followed by bowling and tea at Premier Bowl. They visited Oasis Dental Care in Southport, who kindly cared for ten mouths with only one filling - excellent news! Thank you so much! Also a massive Thank you to Radio City for letting our children visit their station and see the amazing views across the city!"

"We spent the day at Formby High School and enjoyed some fun lessons and mixed with the fabulous students. Thank you to Mr Mackenzie for allowing us into his school and to Mrs Hannaway for organising the day and to Mr & Mrs Belford, Mrs Clarke and Miss Topping and the PE department for taking time out with our children, they had a great time."

"We had a fantastic morning at CHET in Crosby Hall with Graham and Kevin. Plenty of fresh air and exercise doing these children no end of good. Plenty of fun and laughing - brilliant place and lovely staff! Thankyou so much."

"A big thanks again to Gianni from Don Luigi's who invite the children every year for an amazing meal."

On 15th June, the children went to the Co-op on Queens Road in Formby and were very kindly each given goodie bags. What a lovely end to the day for them. Thanks Co-op!