CHERNOBYL Children International is hosting an adventure event to raise money to bring children from Belarus to Ireland this summer.
The ‘Go Wild Adventure’ challenge on May 27 will raise funds towards bringing 21 children and young adults from Vesnova Orphanage in Belarus to Ireland for rest and recuperation.
Chernobyl Children International (CCI) is asking people to join them in Wicklow for a day of zip lining, zorbing, obstacle courses and more. The event will cater to all levels of fitness.
While teams will be made up of five to six people, there is an option to register without a team and CCI will form full teams on participants’ behalves.
A bus will be provided from Dublin to Wicklow for the event and a BBQ will be held for all participants after the adventures have finished.
Oldtown resident Trina Gilchriest, chairperson of CCI, said: “We fundraise annually and each year we try to find an idea that is new to the public and not something they would do everyday.
“We try to offer something a little out of the ordinary so as to draw people’s attention.
“To date some of our fundraisers have included a Ghost Hunt in Enniscorthy Castle, an Alternative Rose Competition for men instead of women, a Heaven to Hell Challenge which consisted of a climb of Croagh Patrick and then a drive straight back to the Hellfire Club for an overnight stay at the infamous haunted spot, to name but a few.”
Dublin CCI fundraises annually to provide rest and recuperation to children/young adults who have been affected by the Chernobyl disaster.
Members of the group also travel regularly to volunteer in the Vesnova children’s orphanage in Belarus which houses 170 children and young adults all with a physical or mental disability.
This year, Dublin CCI will bring 21 children, teenagers and young adults to Dublin for the summer. For some, this will be their first time outside institutional care.
Ms Gilchriest said that as well as removing the children from their contaminated land for a month and giving them fresh air, food and water which will help to build their weakened immune systems, it affords them two years of a healthy life when they return to Belarus.
“We also want to create life long good memories for them to take back, something they have had little or none of in life so far,” she added.
Registration for the event must take place by March 31, at a cost of €20 per person. Registration can be made at www.eventbrite.ie/e/go-wild-challenge-in-aid-of-adi-roches-chernobyl-children-international-registration-32574678741.
April 26 will mark the 31st anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and will also be the first day to celebrate the inaugural ‘International Chernobyl Disaster Remembrance Day’ as designated by the United Nations.
REPORT: Hayley Halpin
