A local charity which has hosted children from Chernobyl in Ukraine for decades has launched an appeal after receiving distressing messages from families amid the Russian invasion of the country.
Stirling supporters of The Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Forth and Clyde Valley Link have forged friendships with people from the area over many years after providing a warm welcome here for youngsters impacted by the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
CCLL was set up in 1986 to support victims of the disaster, which saw a faulty nuclear reactor explode, and despite occurring almost 30 years ago the population in the immediate area still suffer ongoing health problems including thyroid cancer, bone cancer, diabetes and leukaemia.
The charity offers a chance for affected youngsters to get away for at least a little while to rest and recuperate and over the years has seen them not only enjoy visits to the likes of Stirling’s AMF Bowling, Stirling Castle, The Peak leisure centre and Briarlands Farm, but they have also had eye and teeth check ups with local opticians and dentists.
Now, however, families in Chernobyl are facing a new nightmare following Russian president Vladmir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine.
One Ukrainian teacher who has visited Forth Valley with groups of children told the charity this week that she had had to flee the home in Kyiv she shares with her husband and two young daughters.
Viktoria Smyrnova also said her mother and some children had survived a tank assault near Borodanki and that her brother was in another “very dangerous” area where people were in bunkers.
The charity has set up a Crowdfunder page in a bid to get money and much needed medical items directly to the families involved through their connections.
Posting on the fundraiser, a spokesperson said: “Our group is small but mighty. Over the years we have hosted many children from Ukraine.
“Hosts families and children’s families create ongoing friendships and bonds. This means the horrors of the current situation in Ukraine have indeed shook us to the core.
“We have had messages from both children and teachers describing their fear and panic at the circumstances of war unfolding around them.
“Some have spoken to us from underground makeshift safe places, some are describing lack of money due to wages being withheld, some trying to flee to safer regions. We are sensing this pressure goes much further than only the past few days when news of war hit the UK Media channels.
“As a group we feel helpless but have pulled together to support each other during this time and do something constructive.”
The fundraiser has smashed it's £1,000 target, and is closing in on an incredible £10,000 in donations.
The spokesperson added: “Any monies fundraised will be sent to families who have been hosted locally in the central belt of Scotland and surplus funds will be used by the charity head office to complete projects they have in the pipeline offering support.
“They have just this week managed to evacuate to Poland a number of children presently in hospital waiting on essential surgery.
“This of course will not solve the problems the Ukrainian people find themselves in but it will go a long way to supporting the children, families and teachers who have crossed our paths over the years to stay safe, eat and rebuild.
“We hope they will know we together with our friends and family do care and want to help.”
To donate to the Crowdfunder, click here.
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