A VISIT to the Knutsford area of children from Belarus for a recuperative holiday starts this week.

A four-week holiday in a clean environment provides a boost to the immune systems of children from the areas in Belarus contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear accident 26 years ago.

The latest group to visit is from the Gomel area in the south of Belarus, one of the areas most contaminated in the accident.

The 10 children and an interpreter are staying with host families in South Manchester and then move to be hosted by the East Cheshire group of the Chernobyl Children’s Project (UK).

The host families come from Knutsford, Wilmslow, Northwich, Warrington and the surrounding area.

The children visited New Barn Riding School in Ollerton on Tuesday.

Rosemary Coveney, from the East Cheshire group, said: “We have been fundraising all year to pay the costs of their trip and to help the charity with the work they do in Belarus. “This year we have been supported in our fund raising by Terra Nova School, which has allowed us to use their premises for fundraising events and are allowing us to use the school for the visiting children.

“We have arranged a programme of activities for while they are with us and are very grateful to the support from the Knutsford Lions – £350 to fund a trip – and Pam Rigby of New Barn Livery, who is giving them a free riding lesson.”

Anyone is interested in finding out more about the group please ring Nicola on 01625 522779 or Rosemary on 01565 654383.