Frank Morrissey and Eileen Morrissey with Vasilli Ayskavets as children from the Chernobyl affected region of Belarus arrived at Dublin Airport for a 2 week long Christmas Rest and Recuperation stay organised by the Adi Roches Chernobyl Children International (CCI) charity with families across Ireland.
Host families from 9 counties welcomed the children for the start of their life-prolonging respite holiday, during which time radiation levels in the children drop by nearly 50 per cent and up to two years is added to their life expectancy. The trip code named Operation Sleigh Ride has been organised by the Adi Roches Chernobyl Children International (CCI) charity which has brought more than 25,500 children to Ireland to stay with host families since 1991.
Pictures Brian McEvoy
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Double celebrations this Christmas as Maryna flies home to celebrate marriage of Irish mama and papa
Today Tuesday, 19 December Santa Claus provided a special through the night sleigh-ride escort to Dublin Airport from the Chernobyl affected regions of Belarus for a group of children with special needs who began a 2-week long Christmas Rest and Recuperation stay in counties across Ireland.
Host families from 9 counties welcomed the children for the start of their life-prolonging respite holiday, during which time radiation levels in the children drop by nearly 50 per cent and up to two years is added to their life expectancy. The trip code named Operation Sleigh Ride has been organised by the Adi Roches Chernobyl Children International (CCI) charity which has brought more than 25,500 children to Ireland to stay with host families since 1991.
Within this group of remarkable young people was 14-year-old Maryna Malinovskaya. Maryna lives in the CCI supported Vesnova Children's Mental Asylum in Belarus. Maryna has been part of CCIs Rest and Recuperation programme for 5 years and stays every year with her loving Fingal based hosts Trina Gilchriest a
A Kilkenny family will get an early Christmas present today.
More than 40 children from Chernobyl affected regions of Belarus land at Dublin Airport this afternoon (2o’clock) for their two & a half week Rest & Recuperation stay at homes across Ireland.
2 will come to Kilkenny this time – Evanne’s visit won’t start until Saturday due to exams but among the group landing today is Vasilli who’s been enjoying trips here for the past decade.
He will be staying with Eileen Morrissey again who says she can’t wait to welcome him at the airport later. She says its always an emotional occasion.
