Ten children who live less than 30 miles from the Chernobyl nuclear plant visited Dunfermline Fire Station on Wednesday July 13. White Watch Dunfermline welcomed the children, and gave them a tour of the station, showed them around the Command and Control Unit and Fire Engines and gave a chip pan demonstration. 

The children were presented with backpacks filled with goodies and also a free smoke detector to take back home. The smoke detectors will then be fitted by their local fire service in their own homes.  

Graham Barclay, Community Fire Safety Officer at Dunfermline said: "We have thoroughly enjoyed having the kids visit our fire station.  It is lovely to see them having a laugh and good fun." 

Chernobyl Children Life Line is the charity which raises funds to bring the kids over to Scotland every year. Their aim is to help these children by boosting their immune systems and offering them respite from the relentless bombardment of radiation. For the children lucky enough to come to Scotland it is a trip of a lifetime. It is estimated that a month staying with a family here, eating nourishing food, resting from the relentless radiation, breathing clean air can add up to 2 years to their life expectancy.  

The charity relies on host families to accommodate the children for four weeks. The charity then organises day trips and activities so as to allow host families to carry on with normal life. Much help is also required from local businesses and organisations to make their visit beneficial. Anybody interested in helping the charity or wanting more information can contact: 

01383 418781 Carol Dean (Chair) 

01383 830005 Steve Ballantyne (Treasurer) 

01383 740867 Anne Dunsire (Secretary) 

Or visit : www.ccll.org.uk 

 

Posted: 15.49, 25.7.11, rachael.haydon@pavpub.com