Every June, FOCC Maghull & Ormskirk bring around 15 children from affected parts of Belarus to the UK for a four-week programme aimed at giving them a healthy and happy future, with respite from the high radiation levels that still gravely afflict the area 25 years after the devastating Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

The children are aged between 7 to 12 years old, and many of them have never travelled beyond the boundaries of the small towns and villages they live in.

Why we decided to become a host family
(Lizzie and Leighton Orr, first-time hosts in 2011):
“Our friends have hosted a little girl for the past three years, and we have seen how much of a positive impact she has had on their lives, and how much they enjoyed seeing her growing into a healthier child every time she came back to visit.

“We have a spare comfy bed, time to offer to the charity, and Lizzie always cooks enough food for more than the two of us, so it really made sense to get involved!

“All the host families are really friendly and everyone pulls together to help out throughout the visit. Both of us are taking a few days off throughout June, so we can volunteer on some of the activity days, but you can work around the visit, and the children seem to fit around any type of family.”