Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline

Optical Express has proudly supported the charity Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline since 2015.

The charity was set up in 1992 to support the children (and their families) from Belarus and Ukraine affected by the world’s worst nuclear disaster. Belarus, where most of the charity’s work is focussed, received over 70% of the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear explosion in April 1986. As a result, thousands are born every year with or go on to develop thyroid cancer, bone cancer, and leukaemia.

The charity enables children to travel to the UK annually to enjoy a four-week recuperative break where they can experience various activities as well as attend medical appointments that are not available to them back home.

Our Maidstone clinic has welcomed children affected by Chernobyl for a number of years. The children, who have travelled from Belarus, each received a comprehensive eye examination and were gifted cakes from a local bakery and goodie bags.

Gwen Wood, a spokesperson at Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline, said: “We were delighted to partner with Optical Express for another year, to help the children who potentially suffer from medical illnesses and vision impairments as a result of this fallout. It is important every child has the right to healthcare and this continued support will make a huge difference to the children’s lives.”