| Inverness Link
Formed in 1998 to bring ‘Chernobyl children’ to the
Inverness area for a one month recuperative holiday, the Inverness
Link continues to grow. In 2002 the Link was joined by supporters
from Nairn and became the Inverness/Nairn Link before reverting
to Inverness Link in 2004 when the Nairn supporters formed the
Nairn Link.
In 1998 the Inverness Link hosted just four children, but by
2005 this had grown to 60. However, 2005 was an exceptional year
with 14 children, who had been held hostage in Beslan No1 School,
North Ossetia, Russia, being hosted in April; 25 young people
from Dudariki, a Belarusian Children’s Folk Music &
Dance Group, hosted in June and 15 children from the Stolin area
in Southern Belarus hosted in July. Apart from our ‘first-timers’,
hosts regularly invite young people to return and we now have
a number of regular visitors, some of whom spend Christmas and
New Year in the Highlands.
The Inverness Link commits to bringing its main group of children
during the summer months, but at regular intervals throughout
the year individuals and smaller groups are invited – sometimes
for Christmas. These are usually returns who may have visited
many times. The Link is active in raising the profile of the charity
and members are available to give short informative talks about
its work.
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The Inverness Link is very much involved in providing support
to a number of children and their families through the ‘FAMILY
SUPPORT PROJECT’ and we are always looking for new sponsors
prepared to commit to this very worthwhile project.
The Link is also involved in the support of Goryn-Retchitsa School
No2 in the Stolin area and the Zjdanovich Recuperation Centre.
Lochaber Link
Formed in 2000 and based in the Acharacle area, near Fort William,
the Lochaber Link is one of the most rural Links in the UK. Beautiful
scenery - rivers, lochs, wonderful beaches and mountains, including
Ben Nevis, provide the children with a wonderful experience of
the Highlands and many opportunities for outdoor activities.
Nairn Link
Supporters from Nairn joined the Inverness Link in 2002 and soon
after the Link was renamed the Inverness/Nairn Link. As support
grew in Nairn, focused on the United Reformed Church, it was decided
to separate to form a new Link. The Nairn Link was formed in 2004
and invited its first group of children in July 2005.
The Nairn Link is also involved in the support of Goryn-Retchitsa
School No2.
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