Douglas Mayor Councillor David Ashford has hosted a reception for children from Belarus, a group of young visitors brought to the Isle of Man by the charity Friends of Chernobyl’s Children Isle of Man for a month-long stay from July 7 to August 4.

During their stay in the Island the children had dental, optical and, if required, other health checks. In addition a programme of activities was arranged including a session on Manx Telecom’s computer bus, swimming at the NSC, trips to Laxey, Ramsey and the Wildlife Park, tennis at Albany tennis club, horse riding, a visit to the Douglas horse tram stables and a ride on a tram car.

Friends of Chernobyl’s Children (FOCC) Isle of Man is one of a network of UK-wide FOCC branches working to relieve the suffering of children affected by the radiation explosion from the nuclear plant at Chernobyl.