TEN youngsters affected by the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident will come to East Cambridgeshire this summer and host families are needed. The girls, aged between nine and 11, will visit the area from June 17 to July 15 to breathe f

TEN youngsters affected by the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident will come to East Cambridgeshire this summer and host families are needed.

The girls, aged between nine and 11, will visit the area from June 17 to July 15 to breathe fresh air away from their contaminated homeland in Belarus.

Their visit is being organised by the East Cambridgeshire branch of the Chernobyl Children Life Line which is in desperate need of families in Ely, Soham, Littleport and Newmarket prepared to host some of the children for part or all of their stay.

Maria Shelton fundraising coordinator for the charity who has hosted three times said, "Being a host family is fun and very rewarding but also requires some effort.

"You look after the children from Belarus as your own and they are always extremely grateful for the kindness and affection, as well as meals and other treats they receive from the host families.

"The children have so little back home due to the down turn in the rural economy following the explosion, that almost every thing they do over here is exciting for them. But the main reason for the trip is take the children from their contaminated home environment for a month and this can increase their life expectancy by two years."

Anyone wishing to be a host family will need to have a home visit from a representative of the charity and have a Criminal Records Bureau check.

If you wish to find out more about being a host family, or you are interested in helping the charity in any other way or would like to make a donation, please contact Maria Shelton, tel. 01353 659351 or e-mail mm.Shelton@btinternet.com