A CHARITY that gives children affected by the Chernobyl disaster a chance to breathe clean air is holding a fundraising auction.

The west Wiltshire link of the Chernobyl Children Lifeline, based in Westbury, raises money and finds host families so that children from Belarus can spend a month in this country.

Founder Henry Leigh said: "The World Health Organisation has stated that a month spent over here eating uncontaminated food and breathing uncontaminated air can extend a child's life by two years."

"The amount of money we can raise is directly linked to how many children we can bring over and this auction dinner is our main fundraising event of the year."

A group of 13 children have just returned home and another 20 are expected in the town in August.

Mr Leigh said: "We always need more host families and I can't emphasise enough what a delight it is to do.

"The pleasure you get from just seeing the joy they feel at the simple things is immense. Some of the children just haven't even known how to play before they came over here."

Guests at the dinner auction are to be husband and wife acting team George Baker and Louie Ramsay, and the mayors of all five west Wiltshire towns are also expected to attend.

The ambassador of Belarus, Dr Valery Sadokho, also hopes to attend.

A luxury car, a double bed and vouchers are among the items to be auctioned.

Tickets for the event, on May 11 at The Laverton, cost £10 from Triton Galleries in Westbury, The Ham post office, Clive's Cameras in Trowbridge or by calling (01373) 827799.

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