The Cotswolds | Archive | 2003 | June | 19
From the archive, first published Thursday 19th Jun 2003.
TEWKESBURY is opening its heart to a group of children from Chernobyl.
The 12 youngsters, all aged between nine and 11, have been brought over for a health-giving holiday by the Chernobyl Children's Life Line and are staying with families in Tewkesbury and Bishop's Cleeve.
The area in which they live is still polluted from the nuclear disaster of 1986 and they are all in poor health.
However, a month of clean air and good food could add up to two years to their life expectancy.
Since arriving in Tewkesbury on June 11, they have had their eyes tested by Specsavers and their teeth checked by The Cross dental surgery. All the spectacles and dental treatment they need is being given free of charge.
On a lighter note they have also been given many treats, including a river trip with lunch at the Fleet, a visit to the Walls ice-cream factory, a guided tour of Tewkesbury Abbey tower and a visit to Clearwell Caves and Puzzle Wood.
Organiser Fiona Hollyman said that they were also trying to set up a seaside visit because none of the children had ever seen the sea.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008