Annual churchgate collection for Chernobyl children in Kells

The Chernobyl Children's visit to Kells this summer proved to be another huge success and the local Chernobyl Children's Committee is hoping to continue that work into the future. The annual churchgate collection to fund the group will be held this weekend at St Colmcille's Church, Kells, and the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Girley. The annual visits to Kells helps add years to the lives of the young people from Belarus who visit the town. In July, a group of 10 children and an interpreter arrived in Kells. The children benefited so much from home-cooked meals and loads of fresh air. The children all come from families who were relocated after the 1986 disaster and, for most, was their first ever holiday experience. The host familes, Bernard and Rita McCornack, Raymond and Amanda Whelan and Susan Dolan from Mullagh; AO and Caitriona Farrelly, Sean and Shiela Yore, Pat and Edel Dunne from Kells; Michael and Bernie Meegan, Drumbaragh; Cyril and Regina Convey Ryefield; Daniel and Shiela Harkin, Fordstown, and Derek and Edwina Landy from Navan all opened their homes and effectively adopted children for the month of July. The organisers have thanked the Kells Gardai, Kells Fire Brigade, Kells Equestrian Centre, the Causey Experience and many more enterprises who held special events for the children, along with Fr Liam, Dr Gallagher, Dr Coffey, the Kells Dental Clinic and the many volunteers who help raise funds, looked after medical and dental needs, assisted with transport, support and the running of the project. The first, second and now third generation of victims from the Chernobyl disaster still need international assistance and the Kells group will continue giving the children a break from the circumstances that have resulted from this disaster. The visits to Ireland have proven benefits in terms of health and education and it helps sow the seeds of resolve needed to tackle the many problems these children will need to face in the future. Established in 1992, the committee is a non profit-making organisation that is committed to bringing at least 10 children affected by the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986 to Ireland annually. All donations are spent on facilitating the children and all committee members are volunteers. The annual churchgate collection will be held on Saturday and Sunday in the parish of Kells.