Chernobyl convoy sets off to Belarus (From Evesham Journal)

Chernobyl convoy sets off to Belarus

5:00pm Friday 26th October 2012 in News

A CONVOY of trucks containing vital supplies destined for people still affected by the Chernobyl disaster has left the Vale.

Nine volunteers and three trucks containing humanitarian and medical aid for the people of Belarus left on Friday to make the 4,000-mile round trip on behalf of charity Chernobyl 2000.

Set up by husband-and-wife Mike and Maureen Worton in 1998, the charity collects and distributes humanitarian aid to the children of Belarus, the country most affected by the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.

Eight of the nine volunteers are from the local area and are paying their own expenses on the 10-day trip.

“Going to Belarus on the convoy is quite a memorable experience,” said Mr Worton.

“It’s not the norm.

They’re out of their comfort zone. For people to travel all the way through five different countries is a totally different to flying into an airport. This year everyone has been over there with us a couple of times. They are old hands on this trip.”

Almost all of the items taken overseas have been donated to the charity from corporate and individuals from all over the country.

“We try to go at least once or twice a year if we can,”  added Mr Worton.

“This is quite a small convoy. Normally we have six to eight going.”