THE CHILDREN OF CHERNOBYL ENJOY A NIGHT OF TERROR, INTRIGUE AND LAUGHTER
On Wednesday night [18 Aug 1999] Children Of Chenobyl and their host families were treated by The Dukes to a night of terror intrigue and laughter. Friends of Chenobyl is a charity organisation who for the past three years have invited children between the ages of 8 and 12 to come to England for the month of August.
The programme is a four year project and the charity raise funds for the cast of travel. After that they invite the children to stay 'with a host family, who accommodate, feed and entertain them. Some of the children return each year, others are here for the first time, but for. all the children the opportunity is viewed very much as a health visit.
The children arrive looking gaunt and unhealthy and return after just one month looking far more vibrant. It is believed that this 4 week visit can actually add years to the children's lives simply by offering them fresher air and healthy, staple diet.
The project takes place all over the Country but this one is specific to the South Lakes and children are staying with families from Lancaster to Ambleside. Part of the visit has at, ways included a trip to the Dukes promenade theatre in Williamson Park. Alter the success of last years visit to see Around The World In 80 Days, the Dukes this year invited them to be guests of honour at The Hound Of The Baskervilles
Before the show they were treated to a private party Complete with balloons and food in the Ashton Memorial. Returning to the memorial, now in its new role as BaskervilIe Hall, the interval provided more surprises An opportunity to meet and talk to the cast, get autographs and have photographs taken. But the big surprise was for the cast themselves, expressing their gratitude for such a wonderful evening the children from Chenobyl burst into song, honouring the performers with a performance of their own.
Alexandra Johnson, Marketing Manager said "We were really pleased to be able to offer such an evening to these children and their host families It provided us with an opportunity to give something back into the local Community - a way of thanking them for all the support and well wishes we have received over the past year The Children of Chenobyl is a vital charity and it was a delight to be involved."