Just months after being hit with a major funding blow, a popular Perth charity is facing another struggle.
The local link of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline is desperately seeking new families to care for visiting children. After years of providing a home for youngsters, a number of volunteers have chosen to take a break from hosting duties.
Without their support, the charity faces the heart-breaking prospect of turning children away.
This is the second crisis the organisation has faced in the last 12 months, as it was dealt a devastating blow in February when the Foreign and Commonwealth Office removed free visa concessions.
The proposals made the UK the only country in the EU to impose charges of £86 per child and, locally, it increases the cost of recuperative breaks by more than £1,000 the equivalent of places for two children.
The move was described as “grossly unfair” as the visits are funded by local donations.
Although a petition was launched online, attracting more than 10,000 signatures, the UK Government refused to back down.
The annual trips to Perth provide vital respite for young people living in areas of the Ukraine and Belarus which are still suffering the effects of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl.
They stay with local families for up to a month, which gives them a break from an environment contaminated by radiation.
Chairman of the Perth Link of Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline, David Dawson, has launched an urgent appeal for volunteers to come forward.
He said: “We need to start recruiting families to host the children in 2014 now because of the lead time in sending the invitation out to Ukraine.
“The children are normal, lively and well-behaved 10-year-olds but they do live in an area which is still contaminated by the radioactive fallout from the explosion at the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl in 1986.
“This makes them susceptible to many cancers and other diseases of the blood in later years.
“By coming over to Perthshire and staying in a clean environment for a month, their immune systems gain a great boost, which helps them into adulthood.”
Youngsters visit for a month between June and July, living with families and taking part in a wide range of activities organised by the Perth Link.
They also take a rare trip to the dentist and optician, with treatment carried out during their stay.
Mr Dawson added: “We need people to look after two children for either two or four weeks, or they could join our band of supporters and help host families.
“If anyone can help out in any way, they can contact us and we would love to explain more.”
For further details, contact Mr Dawson on 01250 876313, or Nicky on 01764 663305.