Chernobyl walkers aim to raise €500,000

HEAVY persistent rain failed to dampen the generous spirit of thousands of students who turned out yesterday in towns and cities around the country to raise funds for the Chernobyl Children’s Project.

Colm Jordan, president of the Union of Students of Ireland (USI), said the rain was no bother for the students who took part in the charity walk.

“They know that at least they can walk in the rain in Ireland. In Chernobyl it is another story - people have to stay in because the rain is poisoned,” he said.

Last September 10 student leaders visited Belarus and worked in hospitals and orphanages, distributing medical supplies.

All the students returned to Ireland with a passion to raise as much money as possible from the 10k charity walk. The target this year is €500,000 and, despite the weather, they are determined it will be reached.

Of the nine million people affected by the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in April 1986, up to four million were children.

There has been an increase of 250% in the number of children born without limbs since the explosion.

Adi Roche, Chernobyl Children’s Project executive director, said the charity walk, now in its third year, had already saved the lives of countless children in the Ukraine and in neighbouring Belarus and western Russia, where Chernobyl fall-out was also heavy.

Ms Roche said the Chernobyl disaster would continue to have repercussions well into the future. “Scientists predict that the worst effects of Chernobyl will not be felt in the region for another 20 years,” she said.

Mr Jordan said most of the students who took part in yesterday’s walk would have been just four years old when the Chernobyl reactor exploded, pushing radiation levels to 90 times that of the Hiroshima atomic bomb.

“We are still urging people who knows a student who took part in the walk to sponsor them and help innocent children caught up in a terrible disaster,” he said.

A total of €50,000 has been raised so far by the 10k walk over the last two years. “It is hoped that the million mark will be reached this year. From a group in society with less money than most others, this is hugely impressive,” said Mr Jordan.

USI 10k project director Chris Newell said yesterday’s turn-out “shows students are more than willing to help those less fortunate than themselves and gives a shining example to the rest of the population.”