THE Mayor of South Ribble has teamed up with an Eastern European charity to help youngsters who are still suffering from the fallout of the world's worst ever nuclear disaster.

Councillor Kath Beattie has pledged to promote the Leleka charity fund by encouraging local families to consider taking in a Ukrainian youngster for two weeks over Christmas.

On April 26 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster devastated communities across Ukraine, Belarus and Russia, leaving more than two million people, including thousands of children, living in areas contaminated with radiation.

Since the disaster, childhood cancer of the thyroid has increased dramatically and many young children suffer from stomach disorders or are born with genetic disorders as a consequence of their parents being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation.

In the years that have followed medical experts have proven that affected youngsters benefit tremendously from holidays away from Eastern Europe, which can help reduce the effects of human radioactivity and in some cases completely eliminate it.

The Leleka fund is an officially registered charity in Kiev, which is now appealing for residents across the UK to give Ukrainian children a home for two weeks over the Christmas period.

The trip will give youngsters the opportunity to take part in a traditional British Christmas, breathe clean air, eat fresh radiation-free food, meet new friends and enjoy a welcome recuperative holiday at the same time.

Councillor Kath Beattie, Mayor of South Ribble, said: "It's now more than two decades since the Chernobyl disaster yet sadly the effects are still being felt across Eastern Europe.

"Earlier this year I had the good fortune to meet with a group of young people from Belarus who were spending time with families in South Ribble as part of a similar charity project and they were a delightful bunch of youngsters, who were truly deserving of a holiday and some fun.

"If there are any families in South Ribble who can offer their time and understanding, and have room to accommodate a Ukrainian young person for a couple of weeks over Christmas, I urge you to consider contacting this charity and helping to make a young person very happy this year."

If you are interested in helping the LELEKA charity fund or would like further information about the scheme please write to: Leleka Charity Fund, PO Box 328, Kiev-2, 02002, Ukraine; or email: fund_leleka@ukr.net.