Chernobyl Orphanage Appeal began after a visit to Belarus in 1998. We visited schools, orphanages, sanatoriums and families directly affected by the Chernobyl nuclear explosion. As part of that trip we were brought to Kobrin Orphanage, home to 140 children from the age 3 to 7 years.

What we saw shocked us. Some of the most basic necessities that we take for granted were nowhere to be seen. The kids had no soap, shampoo, and toilet paper. A lot of the kids had their heads shaven and a blue dye on their heads because of head lice. They had no stationary of any kind, despite the fact that they are schooled in the orphanage.

When we came home we decided that feeling sorry for these kids was useless unless we did something about their plight. So we set about gathering as much humanitarian aid as possible. That first year we sent a 20ft truck full of humanitarian aid. But every year after we sent 40ft trucks. To date we have sent approximately 15, 40ft trucks to Belarus. That is over 180 tonnes of aid.

Our aid is distributed to a number of orphanages and sanatoriums once it arrives in Belarus. Most notable amongst them is Perkovichi Sanatorium which is a temporary home to almost 150 children who have recently recovered from a serious illness or operation. This can sometimes be their home for anything up to 2 years. Families cannot afford the vitamins, medicines and food that are required when children are recovering and so the children are sent to their local sanatorium. The children live here and are also schooled here.

We have helped many institutions in the last 10 years but we also send aid to groups that help the disabled and their families. Pinsk Invalid Association is one such group. It is run by a committee of people who have a disability themselves or have a family member with a disability. They help over 200 families with aid, provide a listening ear, have Christmas parties for their younger members and provide practical advice for families who are coping with a disability.