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Chernobyl children have a ball in town

by Rhiannon McDowall
27/ 8/2008

MACCLESFIELD really does know how to show its visitors a good time, and to prove it, Silk Town pulled out all the stops when it welcomed a special group of youngsters from Belarus.

Seven children – who are all recovering from illness caused by the fallout from the catastrophic Chernobyl nuclear disaster 22 years ago – came over to the UK with their mums for some much needed revitalisation.

Local businesses joined forces with the Express to organise a Silk Town special tour day for the four and five-year-olds, starting with a chauffeured trip to High Ash Farm by Macclesfield company Ambassador Limousines.

The little Belarusians and their mums were then given the royal treatment at Arighi Bianchi’s, where a Russian sign, made especially for the visitors, welcomed them.

And, in the perfect end to any five-year-old’s day, the excited tots were whisked to Fun4All where they played all afternoon, scrambling over the climbing frames and descending the big wave slide.

Russell Gardener, owner of Fun4All, said: "The children had a great time.It had the real wow factor when they walked in and it’s great that we can offer it to them."

Denis Moors, one of the organisers, said: "The children had a brilliant day – they didn’t expect to be picked up by a limo and they ran themselves ragged. I would like to thank everyone, and the Macclesfield Express, for arranging the great day out. Everyone made them feel so welcome."

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