Day of Gymnastics at Lilleshall inspires Children from Chernobyl
A group of children from Chernobyl in Belarus, who are in remission from cancer, enjoyed a day of gymnastics at Lilleshall National Sports Centre, the home of British Gymnastics.
On the 18th of August, we were delighted to help provide the children with an exciting day, giving many their first experience of gymnastics. They were able to have a go on all of the gymnastics equipment, play games and have fun under the expert coaching of British Gymnastics staff.
Patrick Bonner, Manager of the British Gymnastics Foundation said: “Our charity is delighted to be working in partnership with the Chernobyl Children’s Project to make such an inspirational day of gymnastics possible for the children. The children thoroughly enjoyed themselves today and as our charity has the mission to transform lives through gymnastics, I hope that the children have gained confidence in their own ability and see that doing a sport like gymnastics is something which could benefit their lives when they get back to Belarus.
“Speaking with one of the children today, with a smile on his face, he told me that there is a gymnastics club he knows in Belarus! I hope that perhaps now he has had the chance to experience the joy of gymnastics at Lilleshall, he will be encouraged to take up the sport when he gets back home!”
As part of their recuperative holiday, the children have stayed with host families in Newport, Telford and Staffordshire during July and August as part of the Chernobyl Children’s Project, Stafford and Stone, whilst taking part in an activities programme that keeps them busy 3-4 times a week.
The holiday is an important part in their recovery. Their general health and stamina increases markedly and they gain weight and strength, with their immune systems improving for up to 2 years.
As well as giving the recuperative holidays to children each summer the charity also has projects in Belarus where they are developing day care centres and respite care facilities, leaving care support, a palliative care team, a hospice movement and a foster care programme.
The explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant 30 years ago coated Belorussia in radioactive dust which has given rise to seriously compromised immune systems, cancers and more recently birth defects. Belarus’ economy was based on agricultural exports, but now no one will buy the produce. Many of those living in Belarus can’t afford to buy the “clean” imported food and bottled water so they eat what they produce from the land.
If you would like to volunteer for the Chernobyl Children’s Project or would like to discuss becoming a host for some of the children in future years, contact Margie Haslop on: [email protected].