Chernobyl's children get a boost at Jupiter

The twelve children from Belarus are hosted by the Forth Valley Link group of Chernobyl Children’s Life Line, a charity that gives children from Belarus and Ukraine a four-week’s respite holiday in Britain to boost their immune system.

While at the Scottish Wildlife Trust’s local centre they enjoyed activities including pond dipping, den building and searching for minibeasts.

Claire Bailly, seasonal ranger at Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre said: “Everyone benefits from spending time with nature, but it was a real privilege to be able to host the children from Chernobyl 
Children’s Life Line and see them engaging with nature, and enjoying being in a safe and unpolluted environment.”

Gail MacDonald, Forth Valley Link, Chernobyl Children’s Life Line said: “Fun is the most important aspect while the children are with us so we visit a range of child friendly places. They are so engaged and enthralled when they are at Jupiter, it’s definitely a highlight of the trip.

“The children get a real benefit from the fresh air, and uncontaminated food and 
water. Raising their immune system gives them respite from colds and other normally simple infections for as much as two years.”