Livingston FC welcome youngsters from Belarus to home matches

Oct 28 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

LIVINGSTON FC rolled out the welcome mat to 14 Belarussian children recently who were visiting West Lothian as part of a trip with the charity Friends of Chernobyl’s Children.

The charity, which aims to bring children aged between seven and nine from impoverished families in Belarus living in or around the restricted areas affected by the Chernobyl Nuclear Power station, which exploded in 1986, to Scotland for a month each year.

This is to detoxify their immune systems and to provide dental, optical and medical checks.

During their month-long stay the children live with families around the county who provide a fun and loving environment, clean, nourishing food and much needed vitamin supplements.

A packed programme of educational and recreational activities is also arranged for the children by the charity.

When the children return home they have put on a little bit of weight and look much healthier.

They come with virtually nothing and return with a suitcase bursting with warm clothes, shoes, toiletries, vitamins and other essential items to try and see them through until their next visit.

Care like this is invaluable to the visiting children.

It boosts their depleted immune systems and hopefully enables them to enjoy a healthier and prolonged life.

Kenny Turnbull, who arranged the visit to Livingston FC and is hosting eight-year-old Pasha for the month, said “We are very grateful to Leigh Robertson and the owners of Livingston FC for their kind gesture in allowing the children and host families entry in to all of Livingston's home fixtures when the children are here.

“It is very much appreciated and will definitely add to the children's experience. The charity is also very grateful to all businesses in the West Lothian and Edinburgh area who have contributed in many ways to make this trip very special and very worthwhile for the children.

“This is the first time we have hosted a child in this way and while it is sometimes challenging, it is a very rewarding experience.”

For more information about the charity and donating or hosting please go to www.focc.org.uk