The small town of Pripyat in the Ukraine was nondescript and uneventful until reactor number four at the Chernobyl nuclear plant exploded on April 26, 1986.

The disaster caused large areas to be evacuated – more than 600,000 people – after a massive plume of radioactive fallout drifted over them, with 60 per cent of the radiation landing in Belarus.

The accident is considered the worst in nuclear history. For many, Chernobyl was in the past and is all but forgotten, but for the generations born there it's a recurring nightmare of poverty and health concerns.

Abandoned cities are ghost towns and the areas where people do live are affected by radioactivity.

Although there has been fewer than 50 deaths directly linked to the tragedy, nine of these were children who died of thyroid cancer.

But a report five years ago by the Chernobyl Forum estimated there could be up to 4,000 deaths to cancer in the future among those who were exposed to radiation.

Children and families have a bleak outlook in life through a mixture of poverty and shocking health care provisions, but a group based in West Lothian is doing its best to offer kids a chance at leading normal lives – if only for a month every year.

Friends of Chernobyl's Children's Edinburgh West branch is run by mother-of-four Heidi Grant, providing a little respite to underprivileged children from Belarus.

The big-hearted Bathgate housewife and other group members take in youngsters for a month. In June, 28 Belarussian kids and their interpreters, who live just 40 miles from the Chernobyl plant, stayed in the Lothians area.

Experts say one month away from home can add two years to their life.
"I'm not sure about that statistic as I think it's too soon to tell," said Heidi.

"But you do see an amazing difference in the children within the month that they spend here.

"We've had five visits from the children since the charity was set up in 2006 and we will take them on days out and make sure they get health checks when they are over.

"These are things they could never afford in Belarus and we only take children from really poor families and give them proper food for a month. One girl we had could only eat rice pudding because she hadn't ate anything else in her life."

"By giving them a break we know we can make a difference to their lives, which have been very harsh so far."

Shirley MacGillivray, 45, her husband Neil and daughter Catriona, 15, have been hosting a little girl called Zhanna for the last five years in their Broxburn home.

She is looking forward to welcoming a little boy in the October visit and says the benefits are a two-way street.

"My daughter Catriona has a great time with Zhanna, it's like having a little sister for her," said Shirley.

"My hope is that with them being over here, even for just that month, it will help their immune systems because they are eating contaminated food, breathing unclean air and drinking contaminated milk from cows.

"When Zhanna first came she didn't speak any English at all, but before the end of the trip she was almost fluent. There is so much pleasure seeing the change in the kids.

"I've been over there a few times and their families are so grateful.
"It must be so hard for them to give their children to other people but they do it because they love them and know it is good for them."

Friends of Chernobyl's Children was set up in 1994 by Olwyn Keogh MBE, from Lancashire.

Since then the charity has grown into a nationwide organisation with 26 local branches.

The Edinburgh West branch recieves support from many local businesses, with Specsavers one of its main benefactors.

The chain's Livingston store has given the children free eye check-ups and provided free glasses.

Store director, Ted Akil, said: "The trip was a great opportunity for them – a month of having fun and eating nutritious food in a healthy atmosphere can boost their immune systems, and the opportunity to visit an optometrist was a really important part of their visit."

Heidi said: "Most of these children would never have the chance to receive an eye test without this help.

"One girl had worn the same pair of glasses between the ages of four and 11 with no change in prescription.

"Another was almost blind in one eye and did not realise the world looked any different.

"Now these children and many others have had their lives changed and we feel extremely lucky to have the support."

The group is looking for new host families, helpers and willing fundraisers in West Lothian for a visit in October and in 2011 as there are only ten families who can offer the children a home.

The children who will start in October will visit Scotland for one month each year for a period of three years.

"These children desperately need a break," said Heidi.

"Anyone who can open up their hearts and wants to help we'd love to hear from them."

Contact Heidi on 07545 597 805 or e-mail focc_edinburghwest@hotmail.co.uk