The Chernobyl disaster was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. An explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive contamination into the atmosphere, which spread over much of Western USSR and Europe.
In October 1994 one little Belarussian girl came to stay in Lancashire with Olwyn Keogh MBE, the now Founder / Director of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children charity. The impact of the disaster on Chernobyl children, even to this day, meant that that first visit initiated the beginnings of the FOCC. The charity targets children from orphanages or disadvantaged homes, aged between six and thirteen. These children are in great need and come from social situations that make it difficult for them to get the care they require at home.
When the charity placed a call out for volunteers to come forward to provide safe and comfortable homes for these children for one month, Lizzie Orr and her husband Leighton didn’t hesitate to step up and become a host family.
This is Sasha, she 7 years old and came to Lizzie and Leighton from Belarus at the start of July, and here is just what they got up to……
‘I would like to say a HUGE thank you to so many people from the Bibby Offices around the country who helped us out by donating clothes, shoes and toys for Sasha.. and those who sent vouchers, rubles, pounds, and even offers of fundraising for us – I’ve been a bit overwhelmed by your generosity to be honest – it has been wonderful!’
‘Sasha recently left us to go back to Belarus, and we’re missing her already – she put on half a stone during her 4 weeks with us (she never stopped eating!), and she looked so much healthier when she left…….we cant wait to have her next year!’ - Lizzie Orr
If this is something you would love to get involved in please CLICK HERE and find your nearest group or even visit Lizzie’s new branch website at www.focc-mao.org.uk where you can donate to this specific branch of the charity… or even donating by text: texting FOCC11 to 70070 followed by £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 etc (e.g. FOCC11 £5)
You can also find the charity on Facebook, so please go and visit and ‘like’ their page… or follow them on twitter – at FOCCMaO!
The children of Belarus are in need of your help, to give children like Sasha a vision of a brighter future is so much more than just giving your time.
