Our thanks to Janice Young for sharing this report. Ed
Thanks to the generosity of host families and a range of local businesses, a group of eight youngsters, aged 10 to 12, are enjoying activities ranging from jet ski-ing to making pottery, from visiting Osborne House to picnics on the beach.
The month-long stay is organised by the IW branch of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity, and gives the children a chance to escape the polluted environment which is still a major health hazard, some 28 years after the nuclear power station disaster. The blast, on 26 April 1986, released radiation 200 times greater than that released by both atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
200 per cent increase in birth defects
Even after all this time, scientists have recorded a 200 per cent increase in birth defects affecting children born since 1986.
Another Chernobyl charity reports that UNICEF examined increases in children’s disease rates in the fallout area, and found a shocking 38 per cent increase in malignant tumours, 43 per cent in blood circulatory illnesses and 63 per cent in disorders of the bone, muscle and connective tissue system.
Environmental effects continue
The disaster took its toll on the natural environment as well. The Sydney Morning Herald visited the area this year and reports that the forest surrounding the reactor has absorbed such high levels of radiation that the trees have turned reddish-brown.
Scientists found the trees have not decomposed properly, and without natural decomposers such as fungi and bacteria, any bushfire could redistribute toxic contaminants via smoke.
Adding two years to their lives
This year’s visitors to the Island, from the rural Koresten area of the Ukraine, near the Belarus border, have enjoyed their first trips to a beach. The change in environment, fresh air, fun and healthy food is reckoned to add up to two years to their lives.
This year’s sponsors include Wightlink, IW College (minibus), Specsavers (Ryde), Seaview Wildlife Encounters, Chessell Pottery, IW Pearl, UKSA, Havenstreet Steam Railway, St Catherine’s Lighthouse, Godshill Model Village, Osborne House, Amazon World and Wightwater Adventure Watersports. Their generosity means funds raised by the charity can be spent on essentials such as visas and air fares for the children.
Find out more
For more details of CCLL’s IW branch, contact chairman Paul Smith at [email protected]. If you would like to make a donation, please visit www.justgiving.com/CCL and mark your donation for Island Hosts (IOW) Branch.
Image: This year’s visitors try their hands at decorating tiles at Chessell Pottery
