On the 26th April 1986 there was a major nuclear accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station in the Republic of the Ukraine, close to the border with Belarus. 70% of the radioactive fall-out from the disaster, some 90 times greater than Hiroshima, was deposited on Belarus.

Most of us have heard about the problems created at Chernobyl and the heroic actions of many Ukrainian and Belarusian people in the struggle to contain the problem. There are fewer media articles today, but many years on, the situation is deteriorating.

The problems in Belarus were caused by a major leak at a power station not even in Belarus. This accident has affected most of the population of Belarus in some way or another. Belarus is not a rich country and is struggling to cope with the medical and social impact of the problems enforced on them. With 70% of the country polluted by radiation, with many farm areas now uncultivatable, with many farmers removed from contaminated areas and re housed in tower blocks in the cities, there is a great social problem that needs attention.

Our government urges us to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day. In Belarus the vast majority of local fruit and vegtables are contaminated by radiation.

Children in Belarus are so much like our own children, but they are weaker and tire more easily. They need hope.

Chernobyl Children Life Line is a national charity founded to help bring children of Belarus to the UK for a month's holiday. There is potent evidence to show that just a month here will recharge their immune system for up to two years.

By bringing parties of children to England for a months stay, we alleviate some of the suffering there. This period away from above normal radiation levels, reduces the winter illnesses they suffer, and their school attendance increases for the next two years.

At the Portsmouth Link each summer we bring across 12 children. To do so costs us £300 a child. Some of this is airfare and some of it pays for 14 days of organised activities out of the 28 days they are here. The children come with a paid interpreter who is on call 24 hours a day, and they stay in pairs with host families.

The children are aged 8-12, speak little or no English. They stay in pairs so they have someone to talk to in their own language. This helps with home sickness etc but their interpreter is always available to deal with any problems