Friends Of Chernobyl's Children Wins Top Award

Picture Courtesy of:  The Lancashire Evening Telegraph

The nationwide charity, Friends of Chernobyl's Children has been presented with a prestigious rotary club award for their work   Mrs. Olwyn Keogh MBE (above) founded the charity in 1995 after responding to a radio appeal to offer temporary refuge for a youngster from Belarus.

From that one brief encounter with a child in need, the charity has grown nationwide, now with 24 centres.  Mrs. Keogh, Charity Director, in recognition of outstanding achievement, accepted the award on behalf of the charity.  During her acceptance speech, Mrs. Keogh said:  "Doctors report the health benefits for the children who spend a month in our country are great.  They breath fresh air, eat our food and we send them home with supplies of vitamins and minerals.  We supply them with essential medicine or medical and dental treatment they need while they are here.  I never intended the charity to be a large organisation but the interest has been enormous.  It is wonderful for the children to have such caring host families and sponsors." 

It was reported by The Lancashire Evening Telegraph, Mrs. Keogh and all local coordinators, work on a voluntary basis, as it is the belief of the organisation that all financial contribution should go directly to sponsorship of the children.  If you wish to sponsor a child or open your home to a child four weeks out of the year, then please contact Mrs. Keogh.