Chernobyl children are lifted by hero’s welcome

Aug 14 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

CHILDREN visiting Merseyside from radiation-blighted Chernobyl yesterday met their footballing hero – Liverpool’s new Ukrainian striker Andriy Voronin.

Nine youngsters, aged between eight and 10, toured Anfield stadium after travelling there on the Liverpool Champion of Champions bus.

Then the group was taken to meet Russian-speaking Voronin, who answered their questions and gave out autographed photos.

They then toured the stadium, including its museum, changing rooms and pitch.

The children, who arrived in the region on July 23, have dramatically reduced life expectancies due to the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster.

It is thought the opportunity to spend a month away from their home town could lengthen their lives by up to two or three years.

During their stay, the youngsters have enjoyed various day trips to such destinations as Camelot theme park, Martin Mere wetland centre and Chester Zoo.

But, for most, the highlight was visiting Liverpool FC and meeting 27-year-old Voronin. The football star told the children about life as an international footballer.

He said: “If you have a talent, it is important to nurture it and aim high. This is what I have tried to do and now I am playing for one of the world’s greatest football teams.”

Football mad Artsem Vabichshevish, nine, said visiting Anfield was a “dream come true”.

He said: “It is the best part of my time in England so far. I was very excited when I saw Andriy Voronin and felt a bit shy.”

Nine-year-old Nastya Daniulk, said she would give her signed photo of Voronin to her father or brother when she returned to her home town.

She said: “It is exciting being at the stadium but I don’t really like football. I know my brother would love this picture.

“For me, the best day out so far has been Camelot where there are lots of slides.”

Elaine Moore, North West co-ordinator for Chernobyl Children Lifeline, said: “The radiation is still in the soil and water and so it enters the food chain and affects the children that way.

“By spending time here, they boost their immune systems by breathing fresher air and eating non-contaminated food.

“As it stands they are likely to live until their mid 30s or 40s, but these visits can add a couple of extra years to that.”

The children – from the Brest region of Belarus, near the border with Ukraine – are staying with a number of host families during the visit, which was organised by charity Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline.

paulaowens@dailypost.co.uk