Karan Leonard

University of Ulster students from the four campuses will be joining fellow students throughout Ireland in raising money for the children of Chernobyl this week.

Money will be raised through the sponsored Student 10K walk and other sponsored events. There will also be various collections and entertainment events to raise money.

The money will help towards building hospices for dying children, aiding mentally and physically damaged children, supporting day care centres for damaged children and building homes to get children out of horrific institutions.

"The visit to Belarus this year was the most eye opening experience of my life," said Declan Mellan. "The kids out there so desperately need our help. Before I visited I didn’t realise how lucky we actually are, until I saw what those kids have (or don’t as the case may be). What I am asking for is for students to pick up a sponsor card from the union and try and raise whatever money you can, because a little goes a long way in Belarus I can tell you. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me."

"Most of the children have some form of mental or physical disability. Many have been confined to bed for years. It’s essential we get these kids into normal family lives and out of institutions. That is the aim of the Student 10k this year, to build homes for the people stuck behind four empty walls, having no real experience in any normality, like how to tie their own shoe laces, feed themselves or even interact with other people.

"Please support the Students 10k walk this week. By picking up a sponsor card from the Students’ Union, donating to the street collection in Coleraine on Wednesday, 17 November, or by doing the walk itself on Thursday, 18 November at 1pm. The small change in your pocket can make a big change in their lives."

The third UUSU representative to visit Belarus, Karan Leonard, said: "For the past four years I have been involved in raising funds for the Students’ 10K walk for the Belarusian child victims of Chernobyl. Last month I experienced Belarus for myself and all I can say is that I never raised enough. It’s funny because as students are problems revolve around how much work we have to do and how much debt we are in. Belarus has made me thankful that I live in a country where I have too much work to do and that I am able to get into debt. Belarus is an amazing country that has fallen victim to countless social, economic and environmental disasters. However, despite the tragedy, hope lies beneath the hurt and the pain. We know we cannot change what has happened in the past, but we can choose to help shape the future for so many Belarusian kids.

I will never forget my experience of Belarus and all I hope is that the work of the Student 10K continues for years to ensure that these kids get the life they deserve."

The Student 10K Sponsored Walk takes place on Thursday, 18 November 2004. Students from Jordanstown and Belfast will join QUB students departing from QUB Students' Union at 12.30pm. Transport also leaves Coleraine from the Students’ Union at 1pm, and from Magee Students Union at 2pm