It’s vision on for Chernobyl children in Broadstone!

Post on 18th July 2017

A Broadstone opticians welcomed 16 children from Chernobyl and provided them with vital eye tests and glasses as part of their visit to the area.
Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care on The Broadway has teamed up for the sixth year running with the Wessex branch of the Chernobyl Children Life Line charity to offer free eye tests and prescription glasses to the 10 and 11 year olds.

Thirty-one years after the nuclear power station disaster, children who live in a large area of Northern Ukraine and Belarus still face radiation associated illnesses. The Wessex branch is currently working with authorities in the Pinsk region of Belarus, which is about 150 km west of the site of the Chernobyl disaster.

Scrivens manager Shelly Dean said: “It’s a joy to welcome these youngsters to our branch, who are always so polite and wear the biggest smiles. It’s even more rewarding when you see the look of delight on the faces of those that need glasses and can see clearly for the first time in their lives.
“We take it for granted that we have such accessible health care in this country, so it’s very humbling when the children visit.”
The children stay with families in the area for four weeks and not only get the chance to clear their bodies of radioactive toxins, but they also visit an optician and a dentist for basic, yet essential health check-ups.
Chernobyl Children Life Line Wessex branch chairman John Martindale said: “We are very grateful to Scrivens for their support as many children over the years have had their lives transformed thanks to their generosity.

“Through our work we are able to improve the immune systems and health of these children which lowers cancer risk and increases life expectancy. While they are here with us they also have a lot of fun thanks to our many volunteers and the opportunities provided by local organisations and businesses. They go home with refreshed hope and health.”
Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care is a family owned business with 177 branches across the UK.
The Wessex branch of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line seeks to raise £8,500 each year in order to bring at least 16 children to the area for one month’s recuperative care during the summer months. To find out more visit http://www.ccllwessex.org.uk/