A VIOLINIST who survived the Chernobyl disaster will perform at an event hosted by the Autism & Asperger Society.

Mischa Lindan, a Belarusian, who as a child was evacuated and grew up in Burtonwood, will play at the event at St Helens Baptist Church this month.

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Mischa comes from Mogilev in Belarus and was given a second chance at life when he was relocated to Burtonwood as a young child.

He first travelled to the area as part of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline at the age of 11.

The charity was set up to support children and their families from Belarus and Ukraine who were affected by the world’s worst nuclear disaster in April 1986.

When Mischa arrived in the UK for the first time he had a radiation reading of 35 becquerels – a reading of more than 10 becquerels was considered to be dangerous.

So the youngster returned to England a year later and he was offered a permanent home with Mike Hewitt and his family – who welcomed him with open arms.

From an early age it was clear that Mischa had a natural talent for music.

He won a scholarship to attend Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester where he became a boarder.

He was helped by a generous gift of £10,000 from Beatles' legend Sir Paul McCartney as part of a bursary programme.

Mischa then moved to the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester for two years and before relocating to northern Spain and San Sebastian University School of Music in 2006.

Mischa has since earned a degree in music, a master degree in tourism business from Manchester Metropolitan University, and he is in his last year as a part-time student for an MBA at Manchester University.

The event is on Saturday, October 26 at the church on Hall Street, near the Transport Museum.

Doors are open at 7pm and tickets are available from the society on 01744 362260 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

Tickets are £8 including refreshments with proceeds shared by the Autism & Asperger Society and the Chernobyl charity.

Mischa is hoping to showcase his musical abilities by performing at social gatherings, schools and clubs.

For more information visit mischalindan.org.uk.