A MOTHER who enabled children affected by the Chernobyl Disaster to visit Teesdale is looking to raise £5,000 and find ten host families to repeat the visit next year.

Susan Rigg, who has two young children of her own, set up the Teesdale-Richmond link of the Chernobyl Children’s Life Line (CCLL) charity, supporting those affected by the aftermath of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Eight youngsters spent four weeks visiting Teesdale this year, thanks to her successfully fundraising more than £4,000 and securing the support of eight host families.

She now hopes to repeat this year’s success with another visit next summer but needs the continued support of host families and raising sufficient cash.

“We are looking for new host families, which will enable us to bring ten children over next year," she said.

“We also need to raise around £5,000 to fund the trip. They are both crucial to it going ahead, and ultimately without the support of local people we wouldn’t be able to do it.

“This year’s trip was fabulous, it really was. The host families got so attached to the children, and the feedback we have had from parents in Belarus is heart-warming.”

The parents of Veronika Martysiuk said their daughter would remember the journey for the rest of her life.

They said: “Veronika liked the activities organised for the children, the places she visited and all of the people she met.

“She kept sharing her impressions for several days and said that the most beautiful place she had seen was the North Sea.”

Mrs Rigg added: “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime for the children to come here, just a few weeks of fresh air and water can really boost their immune systems for up to three years.

“We can make a real difference to their life, and give them a fighting chance for the future.”

The CCLL has so far brought more than 46,000 children to the UK for four week trips since 1992.

It costs about £500 for each child to visit the UK, including transport and visas, and Mrs Rigg will fundraise all year to raise the target.

Host families care for two children for two weeks. They must have a spare room for the children to sleep in and be able to commit to the full two weeks.

To volunteer as a host, or donate to the cause, contact Mrs Rigg on 07743-056342 or susanrigg34@gmail.com