A GROUP dedicated to giving respite to young victims of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster have secured a £2,000 windfall towards next year’s visit to Halesowen.

Although 2016 will be the 30th anniversary of the Ukraine catastrophe that left a large area of the Ukraine and Belarus contaminated with deadly radiation, children born today are still affected and have reduced life expectancy.

The largely Halesowen-based Black Country Friends of Chernobyl's Children received the grant through the Police Property Act Fund, made up from the sale of recovered and unclaimed stolen goods.

Friends’ volunteer Vicky Jackson said: “We are thrilled to have received such a generous donation from the local police, which will go a long way towards helping to ensure we have enough funds for next year's visit.”

The group is appealing for more host families so that more children can be brought to the area for an annual five-week stay to recuperate.

Mrs Jackson, of Haywood Drive, Halesowen, who hosted an 11-year-old boy, said seven youngsters visited from mid-May to mid-June and were provided with optical examinations, clothes, good food and a busy activity programme.

She said: “The break away from the radiation and contaminated food chain and air at home means that we help to boost their immune systems and reduce the risk of them developing a childhood cancer.”

The groups aims to bring children from the age of seven here annually for five years to give them the best chance of boosting their chance of a longer, healthier life.

Mrs Jackson added: “The charity and breaks are organised entirely by local volunteers and families and we are proud that we are able to provide these children with the opportunity to experience the UK as well as improving their health.

“We are about to begin to plan next year's visit and fundraising activities and are looking for more host families in 2016 to enable us to expand our group and offer this opportunity to more children.

“Host families can be from any background and do not need to have their own children.”

The children are provided with a fully staffed activity programme Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm and stay with their host families overnight at weekends and during the May half term week.

Anyone interested in hosting a child should contact Mrs Jackson on 0121 6020262.