A NORTH-EAST man has travelled to Belarus to give children presents donated by Madeleine McCann's family.
Mark Miller helped to distribute thousands of presents to children still affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which happened in Ukraine, near Belarus, in 1986.
Many of the presents were sent by wellwishers to the McCann family, after Madeleine's disappearance in May last year. The McCanns then donated them to charities.
Mr Miller, from Middleton St George, near Darlington, visited Belarus with Samaritan's Purse, as part of its Operation Christmas Child appeal. The group gave presents, including hundreds of filled shoeboxes from Middleton St George, to orphanages, schools, and hospitals.
St Laurence's Church, in Middleton St George, collected more than 400 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
Those born after 1986 can still be affected by the contamination.
Mr Miller said: "It is more potent than any oil slick, more subtle than any bomb.
"There are no obvious signs of sickness, no sores, rashes, shaved heads or deformed limbs - those are hidden in the special hospitals - but the legacy of Chernobyl lives on.
"Thyroid cancer is the most common problem among the young, but many of them also suffer from lung infections, weak bones and, as strange as it may seem, a common cold which is almost permanent."
Mr Miller entertained children with singing and music, as well as giving presents.
He said: "My role was to act as the entertainer, or ice-breaker, at each event. At schools in particular, the children often sing to us, so it was nice to be able to provide some entertainment for them.
"The kids really enjoyed the songs with actions, as well as my attempt to sing to them in Russian."
Nicolai Babutski, regional director of Operation Christmas Child, said: "Even though I am from Belarus, on my journeys with the gifts I find out new things about my own country, and discover new situations that need aid; discover the needs of the people."
In total, the operation sent 1.2 million shoeboxes to deprived parts of the world.
Samaritan's Purse also sends medical equipment, such as scanners and incubators, as well as presents.
To help the charity, visit www.
samaritanspurse.uk.com
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