The Grand Pier welcomed 12 youngsters from the area of Belarus close to the Chernobyl border this week. The children come from poor communities within 20 miles of the nuclear explosion site.
The youngsters, aged between seven and eleven years old, were treated to free ride vouchers and spent the morning experiencing the thrills to be had inside the Pavilion building.
Belarus is a land-locked country, so for almost all the youngsters this was the first time they had ever seen the sea and none of them had ever visited a Pier before.
Grand Pier owner Kerry Michael said: “This is not the first time we have welcomed the Children of Chernobyl to the Grand Pier. It is great that we have now re-opened and are again able to give these youngsters a fantastic fun day out at the seaside”.
Their day trip to Weston-super-Mare included a ride on the famous donkeys, lunch at the Queenswood Hotel and a visit to the Seaquarium. The visit to Weston was organised by the Lions Club.
The children, who are enjoying a month long holiday in the UK, are staying with host families in the area. They have been brought over by The Children of Chernobyl charity, based in Wells, who have been bringing youngsters to Somerset for the past 20 years. The charity also supplies funds for village communities, hospitals and schools close to the controlled zone around Chernobyl.
John Price, Chairman of the Children of Chernobyl charity said: “We are grateful to the Lions Club in Weston for organising the day trip and to the Grand Pier for being so generous”.
Whilst the children are here they have medical and dental check-ups and there is evidence that a month in the UK strengthens their weakened immune systems.
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