LOCAL GROUP NEWS

As some of you are aware we had our first group of 10 children for Christmas 2006. Another 10 children in May/June 2007 followed. We are now planning for another group of 8 new children and four repeat visits, for August 2008. As you can see, thanks to our host families and supporters, Chernobyl Children are now becoming established in our area!

HOST FAMILIES

Our dates for next group visit are Sunday 3rd €“ 31^st August. We need to find hostfamiliesto care for the children during this time. It is recommended that they stay in pairs, (with the exception of repeat visits). This can be for two weeks or for the whole month. The children have to be passed as healthy before coming here.

If you would like to consider hosting, or if you know of someone who would like to host, please let me know. There is a lot of organisation involved in bringing the children here so the sooner we have a list of potential hosts the better.

SUPPORT HOST FAMILIES

This is for those, who would like to be involved but are unable to host on a full time basis. For example the support host might like to take the host family€™s children on an outing for the day, have them over to play. This gives the host family a break.

CRB

Anyone involved with the children, whether it is a host family, support family, a driver, someone taking them out for an activity or a committee member, has to have a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. This is standard procedure to insure the safety of the children. They are vulnerable. All adults living in your home, or involved with the children have to be CRB checked. We do this check with you. It is entirely confidential and free! See the CCLL web site for more information.

REPEAT VISITS

We had three repeats visits last summer and are planning for four more repeats this summer. If you would like a repeat visit to coincide with our summer 2008 group, I will need to know now! The air flights are getting very booked up for August. When children are here on a repeat visit they can join in some of the group activities if they wish, have access to the leader/interpreter or just do their own thing with their host family, including going on holiday as long as it is in the UK.

FUND RAISING

Yes, we need to raise the funds for bringing the children here. Any ideas or donations are most welcome. We still need to raise some £2000 to cover the airfares for our pending group this summer. Please note that all funds raised go directly to helping the children. The work of the Link and the host families is all done on a voluntary basis.

ACTIVITIES

The Link organises group activities for the children for approximately three days a week. If you would like to provide an activity for the group please let us know.

GROUP LEADER INTERPRETER

We need to find a home for the leader who comes with the group. Usually I do this but as I am having a repeat child this summer I will not have the space for the leader.

NB. We now have our own interpreter, living in our area, who gives much appreciated help for those of you who wish correspond with their children. This is Elena Edwards, who comes from Belarus and is married to an Englishman. Contact:

Elena Edwards, The Little farm, Rowley drive, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8PN.  

COMMITTEE

New members are always welcome. If you would like to help with the organisation of bringing over our groups please get in touch. To date we have our meetings at Chinthurst Hill farm. Fortunately I have a large sitting room and plenty of parking space! Our next meeting is on the 21^st February at 7.30pm.

If you are able to help with any of the above please get in touch.