Moray families, who are preparing to welcome children from Belarus to the region, have opened a shop to raise funds for the life-changing trip.
Friends of Chernobyl’s Children will welcome 18 youngsters from the country which was devastated by the nuclear disaster 31 years ago.
The fallout from the explosion led to a rise in birth defects and cancers in the region.
Every year, youngsters from Belarus visit Moray to reap the health benefits that come from spending a month away from the toxic air.
And, in order to prepare for the visit in May, families hosting the bubbly children have been running a charity shop in Lossiemouth to raise funds for the visit.
FOCC Moray chairwoman, Clare Cotton, said: “It’s wonderful to see all the hosts working together and joining in – everyone’s looking forward to the children coming back.
“It’s all the same children that are coming back. The parents saw a huge difference in their health and confidence last year, so it will be interesting to see how they are now.
“Everyone’s excited to see them again. There have been some really strong links made.”
Host families have stocked the second-hand store in Lossiemouth with donations of clothes, books and sports equipment.
Organisers estimate that about £1,000 has to be raised per child for the visit. And one of the host parents, John Cowe, said: “It has been an amazing experience to see the children come back every year.”
The shop is open on Queen Street in Lossiemouth from 10am to 4pm.
