Chernobyl kids get tour of Fire Station

Local fire-fighters have said they were delighted to bring children from Chernobyl on a tour of Northland Road station this week.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Jul 2016, 09:18 BST
Updated 8th Jul 2016, 10:22 BST
Children from Belarus having fun as they are shown the ropes at Northland Road Fire Station.Children from Belarus having fun as they are shown the ropes at Northland Road Fire Station.
Children from Belarus having fun as they are shown the ropes at Northland Road Fire Station.

The children are currently on a month-long visit with host families in Derry and the Buncrana area through the Foyle & Inishowen Outreach Group for Chernobyl Children International.

The group visited the Fire Station on Monday and Kieran Doherty, NI Fire & Rescue Service Station Commander for Derry, said: “The children had a really good time. We would normally do small school visits and because this was the children from Chernobyl we were happy to show them around the station and the crew here provided refreshments for the children. The children were also shown the breathing apparatus,an aerial appliance and through an interpreter were told the basic fire safety messages.”

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Northland Road station crews have a reputation for good deeds and also organise a charity drive each year.

Children from the Chernobyl region getting shown round the station.Children from the Chernobyl region getting shown round the station.
Children from the Chernobyl region getting shown round the station.

Emma Hunt from the Foyle & Inishowen Outreach Group said that the children had a great time at the fire station. “They thought it was amazing and everything is just ‘wow’,” she said. “We have eight kids visiting this year. The children that come here are aged seven to 17 and many of them are from foster homes. We are hoping to increase that number next year. We have a drive on for more host families.”

Emma said that since they arrived on June 21, the children have also been out canoeing with Foyle Paddlers, and trying out the Jumpalines. Big-hearted staff from local company HML have also funded supply packs for the kids.

For more information about hosting check out the ‘Foyle & Inishowen Chernobyl Children International’ Facebook page.

Related topics:Derry