A CHARITY which provides a life-changing experience to children directly affected by a nuclear disaster has appealed for help from Petersfield and East Hampshire parents.

The Petersfield link of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line (CCLL) may have disbanded but the charity would still love to hear from people willing to be a host family for a month.

Every year the charity gives a group of Ukrainian or Belorussian children who are living in the fallout zone of the 1986 disaster the chance to spend four weeks in Britain.

The visitors live with host families and are treated to a packed itinerary that ranges from a day out at a theme park or the beach to dental work and a health check-up.

The radiation which spilled from the nuclear power plant will remain in the area for tens of thousands of years so a month of breathing unaffected, clean air can enormously boost a youngster’s immune system and life expectancy.

Six lucky youngsters who were flown to Britain by the Havant and Waterlooville link of the CCLL recently returned to Belarus after nearly a month in south Hampshire.

Natalie Horn, who heads the Havant link, would love more families from the Petersfield and East Hampshire area to get involved in future trips but even small donations will make a massive difference.

She said: “It’s a fantastic charity and my family has been doing this for 13 years now.

“It’s great because you know you’re doing a great thing.

“All the money we raise goes on visas and the children, and even if someone only donates £5 then that £5 will buy a child an ice cream, which could be something they’ve never had before.

“We know the Petersfield group has mostly disbanded but if anyone from Petersfield wants to host then we would love to hear from them.

“Also, if anyone wants to get involved then we’re always looking for things like sanitary items or tubes of toothpaste because items we consider to be every day like those aren’t as freely available in Belarus or Ukraine.”

The latest group of visiting youngsters, who were all boys, were also treated to a day out at Paulton’s Park, a visit to Eastleigh fire station and a trip to Southsea beach in a stretch Hummer.

Natalie added: “The boys I had here loved seeing the dustbin men come along, because it was something they don’t see in Belarus, and skimming stones on the beach.

“It was also the first time they had eaten ice cream.”

Anyone who would be interested in becoming a host family for the 2019 visit or would like more information about CCLL should call Natalie on 07598 792021 or e-mail her at: [email protected]