THE Port of Tilbury recently welcomed a visit from Chernobyl Children’s Life Line, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of those children who continue to be affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.
Four girls and two boys, aged between 9 and 11, visited the Port and took the opportunity to sightsee from an educational boat tour of the enclosed dock. The Port of Tilbury arranged a number of activities in order to make the visit as special as possible for the children. The eldest girls enjoyed steering the boat, assisted by the Skipper, whilst the boys enjoyed viewing the ships in port and the working cranes and cargo plant. Some sweets, treats and ice lollies made the tour even more enjoyable.
Following the boat ride the children listened to a short presentation in the Board Room, and were presented with a goody bag filled with gifts and stationery. This generated a great deal of excitement amongst the children, who have limited access to school materials at their home in the Ukraine.
Many children in the Ukraine and Belarus still endure daily the effects of the radioactive fallout from Chernobyl. This was an entirely new experience for these children, whose homes are far from the sea and have only seen photographs of ships. The Chernobyl Children’s Life Line charity in partnership with the Port of Tilbury, took the opportunity to provide them with an experience during their stay in the U.K they will remember fondly.
Perry Glading, Chief Operating Officer for Forth Ports Limited said: “We are highly sympathetic to the plight of those children and their families affected by the Chernobyl disaster. When Chernobyl Children’s Life Line approached us to organise a boat tour for the children, we were more than happy to get involved, and we would welcome a return visit at any time.”
