FAMILIES across East Cambridgeshire have opened their homes to provide care for children affected by fall-out from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster for the second time in a year. Ten girls, aged between 10 and 11, from Belarus will spend a month in the Ely

FAMILIES across East Cambridgeshire have opened their homes to provide care for children affected by fall-out from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster for the second time in a year.

Ten girls, aged between 10 and 11, from Belarus will spend a month in the Ely area.

The trip gives the youngsters the opportunity to stay in an environment free from radiation and eat and drink uncontaminated food and water.

All the children taking part in the visit have been chosen because they have had cancer or are in remission after treatment and it is estimated that their stay could increase their life expectancy by two years.

The visit has been organised by the East Cambridgeshire branch of the Chernobyl Children Life Line.

Maria Shelton, of Queen Adelaide, who is a branch fund-raiser, said: "It is always a major worry that the children speak very little English and none of us speak Russian, but that rarely leads to difficulties.

"You can get by with signs, nods and smiles, and the children can pick up English pretty quickly."

INFO: call Maria Shelton tel. 01353 659351 or e-mail mm.Shelton@btinternet.com