GEARS+ works with children from Chernobyl

GEARS+ working in partnership with members of the North West branch of the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain (HCGB) and Friends of Chernobyl held an activity day for a group of children from Chernobyl at Magnolls Farm in Oswaldtwistle.

“It started with a suggestion that it might be nice to give the children a ride on a hovercraft and grew from there” explained Trish Bartlett our Chief Executive who is also the Safety Officer for the local branch of HCGB.

A fantastic day was had by everyone there; the children cycled, played with remote control cars, drove karts, had rides on quads and had the unusual experience of hovering for the first time and also enjoyed a barbecue. All of this was possible due to the generosity of Charlie and Karen Peach who own the farm.

As a thank you at the end of the day the children presented us with a small wooden box and a card signed by them all, they also sang for us before they left.

The visit lasted for a month altogether it is anticipated that a month here can extend their life expectancy by up to two years. Each child accepted onto the programme will come to England five times thereby extending their life expectancy by ten years.

We anticipate that this will be an annual event.