Video: Chernobyl children enjoy visit to Telford Exotic Zoo during stay in county
Children still suffering from the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster were given the chance to see exotic animals during a trip to Shropshire.
Each year young people from Belarus travel to the region to learn about life in England, and to get away from their often contaminated homes for a few short weeks.
The recuperative holidays, run by Chernobyl Children's Lifeline Shropshire, can massively improve the children's lives as they get a chance to breathe fresh air and eat clean food. It also boosts their life expectancy by an average of two years.
The visiting children take a number of trips during their stay, including stopping off at Telford's Exotic Zoo, on Bradley Road Industrial Estate in Donnington Wood on Wednesday.
Jane Elliot, chairwoman of Chernobyl Children's Lifeline Shropshire, said: "Everything they eat and drink over there is contaminated, and even though it's been 30 years since the Chernobyl disaster, nothing has changed.
"Every other day we're busy with experiences so that the children have happy memories of Shropshire when they go back to Belarus.
"Their trip to the Exotic Zoo was brilliant. It would have been the first time many of them had seen these animals.
"The girl who is staying with me really enjoyed it. She got to see her pictures on social media and was so excited to tell me all about her day. They loved it.
"I'm really grateful to the Exotic Zoo. It's the second year that we've been there. It's fantastic that these people will help the children free of charge. People can be so generous.
"My girl has been with us since Saturday and she has already gotten a better complexion and her hair is shinier."
