A SPECIAL treat was in store for a group of Belorussian youngsters when they made their second visit to Buckie in a week. The 18-strong group aged seven to 12 all hail from the fallout zone created by the explosion of the number four reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 and are in Moray for a month-long visit as guests of the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children Moray. Thanks to Buckie businessman Mike Coull, who owns Time restaurant and Little Kitchen, outside caterers in the town, the children kicked off on June 20 with a visit to Buckie RNLI lifeboat station, then enjoyed an hour-long kickboxing workout at Eastern Tigers Martial Arts Club. A spot of lunch at Time was followed by a two-hour programme of potted sports laid on by Portessie Primary. Mr Coull has also organised a raffle, generously supported by local businesses and the Rotary Club of Buckie, which will pay for items from the chemist for the children to take back home. It was a chance conversation which led to Mr Coull helping children who live every day with the legacy of radioactive contamination.
He said: “It was through a chat with my brother Stephen that I heard about the kids’ story and was introduced to a representative from the charity. “I said I’d be delighted to do something for them while they’re here and organise a day out in Buckie that will help send them home with a lot of happy
memories. The support from local businesses, the Rotary, Eastern Tigers and Portessie Primary, has been phenomenal. “It’s been brilliant to see the kids’ faces light up, it makes it all worth it.” There was a warm welcome for the Belorussian children and their interpreters at the lifeboat station.
See full story in Banffshire Advertiser 2nd July 2019