THE Chernobyl Children's Life Line is once again on the lookout for host families in the Malvern area for this summer's visit.

Since 1992, the group has been looking after children who are growing up in areas of Belarus which were contaminated by radioactive fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

In that time, the Malvern group of the Chernobyl Children's Life Line has given hundreds of children from the affected area the chance to enjoy a healthy break.

Ten children from the area will be coming to Malvern this summer, and organisers need to find them places to stay.

The Chernobyl Children’s Life Line was formed to help children living in areas affected by radioactive contamination cause by the infamous nuclear reactor explosion of 1986.

The charity has more than 80 branches across the UK, bringing some 3,000 children a year to this country from Belarus or the Ukraine for healthy holidays.

Dorothy Knights, who has been involved with the Malvern branch since it started, said: “Every year we put out a call for host families, and every year we get a response.

“This year’s visit is for four weeks starting on Wednesday, June 8, and we urgently require host families to look after two children for two weeks.

“This is the trip of a lifetime for these children. The idea is that by bringing the children here, it gives a boost to their immune systems because they have a respite from the contaminated surroundings they are growing up in.

“Doctors in some of the cancer hospitals in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, believe the children have their life expectancy extended by up to two years.”

During the children’s stay, they are offered a programme of activities and outings, which in recent years has included visits to the Three Counties Show, tours of the Morgan factory, trips to the Sea Life Centre in Birmingham and sessions of outdoor activities.

As well as host families, Chernobyl Children’s Life Line is also on the lookout for people who can help in other ways, including fundraising, helping with the activities and day trips, or supplying transport.

Anyone who can help should contact Mrs Knights on 01684 561358, 07815 314555 or dorothyknights@waitrose.com.