DERBY CHILDREN’S CHARITY BENEFITS FROM G F TOMLINSON SUPPORT

DERBY CHILDREN’S CHARITY BENEFITS FROM G F TOMLINSON SUPPORT

A CHARITY in Derbyshire, which helps children affected by the Chernobyl disaster, has benefitted from the support of Derby based construction company, G F Tomlinson.

The family-run firm is currently the only business in Derby to support the Bonsall and Derbyshire Dales arm for the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Charity every year, by providing a transport vehicle and driver free of charge.

With divisions across the country, the charity was set up in 1991 with the aim to help children from Belarus, through health and social benefits through recuperation holidays in England.

Contracts manager at G F Tomlinson, Terry Radford has volunteered his time to drive the children to and from the airport every year.

He said: “I have been helping to support the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Charity for more than 13 years now and G F Tomlinson has always been willing to support the cause by providing free fuel and a mini bus to get the children to and from the airport”.

“The work that the charity does is now more important than ever. All of the children have been affected in some way by the Chernobyl disaster 30 years ago and some even suffer from health issues due to the radiation. As a result, life expectancy is short”.

“The charity brings them to England for a four-week health respite. The children are able to enjoy drinking clean water and food, take part in a number of activities and benefit from health and dentist appointments. It is a great pleasure for both G F Tomlinson and myself to support the vital work the charity does to make a real difference to the children’s lives”.

Chairman of the Bonsall & Derbyshire Dales Link for Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline Charity said: “Our main focus is to ensure we are bringing ten children from Belarus to the UK each year and the support of Terry and G F Tomlinson has ensured that we have the funds to pay for each child.

“The cost of helping a child can range between £600 and £650 and these expenses are increasing every day. Therefore, we are always striving for ways to keep costs down.

“The provision of G F Tomlinson’s mini bus has helped the charity save thousands of pounds over the past few years. As a result, we are able to use the money that would be used on transport to pay for other necessities like health insurance, visas, activities and new clothes and shoes.

“I would like to thank G F Tomlinson for their ongoing support and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them in the future, as we continue our work to help children in Belarus.”