It’s hard to imagine a world where if your child becomes unwell, you fear it could be the start of a life-threatening condition.

But this is the grim reality for many families in the Ukraine, who are still living in the aftermath of a failed experiment at the Chernobyl nuclear power station in April 1986.

Although it has been 29 years since the accident, people are still suffering from the effects of deadly toxic pollutants.

Babies are born with deformities and children’s cancer rates are still higher than average. But for some families there is hope.

The Wessex Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline arranges for groups of youngsters to visit the UK. According to the charity, a month-long holiday in the UK can add five years to a child’s life.

Charity chairman John Martindale, a retired teacher who lives with his wife Carolyn in Broadstone, explains: “Four weeks of recuperative care is very important for the health of children (about to reach puberty) because they are away from the raised levels of background radioactive toxins so their vital organs become healthier and their immune systems stronger.”

This year, John is arranging for 15 children from Korosten, just 12 miles from the site of the accident, to visit Poole.

“We always have lots of activities planned during the weekdays. It is very heart-warming because so many organisations and companies are only too pleased to help us when it comes to providing entertainment which helps to keep the costs down.”

Earlier in the year Wessex CCLL benefitted from a £1,000 bequest from local teacher Nicky Shone to build and equip a new classroom at a school in Korosten.

Local businesswoman Tracie Beardsley and her husband John opened their home in Wimborne to two young girls last summer, Anastasia, nine, and Valeria, ten.

“We had friends who said it had been a very rewarding experience and although it sounds corny, I wanted to give something back.

“We are lucky to have a big house and I’ve never had my own children. I have got step-daughters who have grown up now and we knew we were going to be staying home for the summer so we decided to give it a go.”

But Tracie wasn’t prepared for how close she would become to the girls.

“I fell hook, line and sinker in love with them. It was a real wrench when they left. I don’t think anything prepared me for how much joy they would bring.

“They were so appreciative of everything. We would give them a few pounds to spend at the local market and it was like you had given them the earth.

“These two girls come from very loving homes but they arrived with very little and they were always thinking about their families and things they could take back for them.

“We took them to London and their faces were a picture. One of the mothers cried. She said it was her daughter’s dream to go to London.”

Tracey has learnt a few key words in Ukrainian and still keeps in touch with one of the girls.

“If you can give up four weeks of your summer to give a child five more years of life then it’s a no brainer – we will definitely do it again.”

Tracie adds: “You can support charities by raising money, but to do something practical is very rewarding.”

For more information visit ccllwessex.org.uk or speak to John on 01202 690110 or email jsmartindale@virginmedia.com