A GROUP of children from Belarus, an area still affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, have benefited from expert eye care thanks to an opticians in Swindon.
The four youngsters, aged eight to 10 years old, visited the Regent Street Specsavers store as part of an initiative run by the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline, a charity which enables groups of children to visit the UK from areas still suffering the effects of the devastating accident in 1986.
‘The team was delighted to welcome the girls to the store,’ says David Grieves, store director at Specsavers in Swindon.
‘The children spent the day having their eyes tested, and two of the girls
who needed glasses, were able to choose frames from our range of children’s specs.
‘This kind of service is so important for children of their age, as development could be hindered as a result of poor vision. Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline is such a valuable charity and these visits will greatly improve the children’s quality of life, as well as their chances in education.’
Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline was established in 1992, and aims to bring child victims of the
Chernobyl nuclear disaster to the UK for recuperative breaks and access to vital healthcare.
The children come from social situations that make it difficult for them to receive the care they require back home and just one visit can add two years to their life expectancy.
David adds: ‘An eye examination may seem routine to you or me but these children, and many others like them, don’t have access to the same level of healthcare that we do in this country.
‘We’re very pleased to have had this opportunity to help, and hope that the children enjoy the rest of their time in the UK.’
