The St Ives Link of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line was founded in 1997. It brings groups of Belarusian and Ukrainian children to south-west Cornwall for month-long breaks away from a constant daily drip-feed of radiation.

Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity was established and registered in 1992 by Victor Mizzi O.B.E. to support the children (and their families) from Belarus and Ukraine forever affected by the world’s worst nuclear disaster.

The radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear explosion in April 1986 caused numerous and various health issues which will last through generations to come. As well as thyroid cancer, bone cancer, leukaemia and other non oncological conditions many people are now experiencing severe psychological distress directly linked to the effects of Chernobyl. This in turn often causes medical conditions which can then develop to become serious and even life threatening.

Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity main aims are:

• ​To bring child victims of the Chernobyl disaster to the UK for recuperative breaks of up to four weeks – close to fifty thousand children and young adults have benefitted from staying with host families since our inception in 1992.
• To provide on-going supplies of multi-vitamins and basic healthcare products, school uniforms, stationary, learning aids, special needs items, clothing, shoes and toiletries to the children on their return.
• To work with our Belarusian and Ukrainian partners to locate children who will benefit from a recuperative care break.
• To help children too sick to travel by providing chemotherapy medicines to Children’s Cancer Hospitals in Minsk, Gomel, Mogilov and Brest regions. Support with medicines and equipment for Baby Home No. 1 in Minsk, the assisting numerous Social Centres (temporary Foster care facilities), individual Foster families, and centres for children with special needs as well as several orphanages.

The parents of the Chernobyl children, who most of the time live in despair, thank you and embrace you all for your kindness and generosity.

If you would be interesting in helping Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity or by hosting children for up to a month, please contact the St Ives link directly by using the buttons above.