A BORDERS charity aimed at helping children who live in a contaminated area caused by the Chernobyl nuclear power station disaster has come to an end.

For the past 16 years, youngsters from Belarus have visited the region for a month-long healthy holiday which is estimated to increase their expected lifespan by two years.

But with chairman Fraser Simm finally stepping down the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline Borders Link has decided to fold.

The charity started with a chance encounter on a street in the village of Stow back in February 2001 and the beginning of extending the hand of

friendship and care to children from a faraway land.

Ian Anderson showed Mr Simm a brochure showing the effects of the 1986 nuclear explosion at Chernobyl on the children living in neighbouring Belarus.

It described the effects of radiation on the Belarus population but explained that youngsters, by visiting healthy areas such as the Borders, were able to build up their immune systems to help them with various issues such as thyroid cancer.

Mr Simm said: “Although Ian and I had valuable support from our wives, in 2001 we really had no idea what we were doing.

“But we received a grant from the charity’s HQ of £500 and £500 from the Polish Club in Galashiels and we were on our way to raising £4,000 to support the first ten children from Belarus.

“The families in Stow soon had support from Peebles, Gattonside and Selkirk and we were ready for our first visit in 2002.”

“Since 2001, the link has hosted 110 (children) and raised £60,000 – which has come from small and big donations, events such as coffee mornings, bag packing, quizzes, a Burns supper, concerts, a sponsored walk, a film night - and many other activities.”

Mr Simm continued: “The support and generosity of the local community have been so strong. Not only have we had significant financial support from organisations such as Jedburgh Rotary Club, we have also been so lucky in having the services of local dentists and opticians, who attend the children when they are in the Borders – and this medical attention is always part of our programme.

“We have also had so many kind offers of assistance; for instance, the offer of fruit and vegetables, boat trips, free entry to places and activities; the

people involved in our charity have seen the best side of local life.”

Fraser said that over the years the Borders Link spread to the east coast and south into Northumberland.

And while he is grateful to local businesses and clubs for their donations and support, he said the link could not have flourished without the dedication and care of the host families who provided a home for the youngsters during the month's visit.

He said: “Many families offered to host the children more than once - in fact several families have been involved for four or five years and this generosity is at the heart of our efforts. Many of the families retain bonds with the children they host.”

Mr Simm visited Belarus in 2015 and was moved by the thanks expressed for the work done by the charity.

Over the years, many host families have come and gone, but after his 2015 trip, Fraser felt that one more visit had to be arranged and this took place in 2016 and was a success, but after 16 years, he is stepping down as Chairman, and the link has come to an end.

A group of photographs show just a few of the many, many activities of the link; those involved will have many happy memories of their involvement with the charity.

He concluded: “I would like to say a big “thank you” to all who have played a part over the past 16 years.

“I look back on that chance encounter in 2001 with gratitude and have mixed feelings that a special part of my life and of that of all who helped

me has come to an end.”