Smiles all round as Chernobyl kids

YOUNGSTERS from the nuclear disaster area of Chernobyl in the Ukraine were this week given the free run of the children’s clothes rails at the Blythswood charity’s centre near Evanton.

And the 10 excited primary-age visitors could not hide their delight as they tried on an array of multi-coloured tops, trousers and baseball caps.

The children living in the shadow of the nuclear plant site, which exploded in 1986 and sent a radioactive cloud over large parts of the western Soviet Union and Europe, are visiting Scotland as part of the Chernobyl Children scheme.

During their stay in the Highlands with local families they have been enjoying a round of sight-seeing, including a visit to Cawdor Castle, and having fun at locations such as the Fairburn activities centre, near Muir of Ord, and the Aquadome at Inverness. They have also travelled to the Western Isles and to Codona’s fun fair in Aberdeen. In addition, local dentists and opticians have been giving free treatment as such services are rare in the Chernobyl area.

As the bright-eyed group climbed down from their bus at Blythswood they were given a real Highland welcome by piper Karla Urquhart, a local student working at the charity’s headquarters during her summer vacation.

After checking out the outfits racked up for their inspection, the group was treated to sweets and drinks, before heading off with their new acquisitions.

Blythswood’s operations manager Ian Matheson said: "We have been regularly welcoming youngsters from Chernobyl for years now - calling at the Easter Ross centre here is always a highlight for them.

"Like all kids of their age they love getting togged out and it’s a real pleasure to see them having so much fun."

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