Over 200 volunteer cyclists made the arduous journey this weekend and cycled all the way from Cork to Galway in aid of Chernobyl Children's Project International. Thanks to Niall Kennedy and all of the cyclists and organisers the event was again a huge success this year. We are hoping to make next year even bigger and better as it will be the 7th year of the cycle. Funds raised will go towards the Building & Construction projects of CCPI, in particular the Day Care Centre in Petrikov.

Adi Roche, CEO, Chernobyl Children's Project International and Dr Bill Novick and Sherrie and Jim Douglas from CCPI USA met with Ukraine's First Lady, Mrs. Yushchenko in Kiev today. At the meeting, a new Cardiac programme for child surgeries across four of the major cities in Ukraine was launched. CCPI is makinga major investment of over $300,000 dollars in a joint collaboration between the US, Ukraine and Ireland to undertake surgeries in Kiev, Kharkiv, Donetsk and Odessa throughout 2008.

Chernobyl Children's Project International has been chosen as the Charity Partner for the Taste Festivals, taking place in Dublin and Cork in June. Following on from its previous successes, Taste of Dublin is taking place from the 12th to the 15th June in the Iveagh Gardens. The Taste of Cork event takes place from the 27th to the 29th June in Cork City Gaol & Heritage Centre. By buying tickets for the event you will be donating a percentage of the cost of the ticket to the work of CCPI. If you would like more information please call us on 021 431 2999 or email info@chernobyl-ireland.com. You can also buy tickets for both events on the ticketline 0818 717200 or visit www.tastefestivals.ie

In May, Adi Roche received the Lord Mayor of Dublin Award for 2008 for her services to the national and international community. Since 1989, the Award each year is given to exception individuals for their humanitarian, artistic and business achievements. Cllr Paddy Bourke, Lord Mayor presented the Award to Adi on the night and paid tribute to individuals and organisations that have performed an exceptional service in their respective spheres for the City of Dublin and its citizens. Previous winners of the award include Mary Kennedy, Bill Cullen and Ronan Keating.

Children from Belarus and Western Russia are arriving into Ireland throughout this month as part of CCPI's annual Summer Rest & Recuperation Programme. The children, who come from the heart of the Chernobyl zone are being hosted by several hundred Irish families throughout Ireland. Many of the children come from very impoverished backgrounds. The Rest & Recuperation Programme was established to offer children from the regions contaminated by the Chernobyl nuclear explosion a vital break away from an unhealthy and dangerous environment. Established in 1991, the programme was one of CCPI's founding projects and since then has seen the arrival of 17,000 children into Ireland under this scheme. Also this summer, 4 new In-Country Camps will take place in Belarus. 'Camp Vesnova', 'Rainbow of Hope' and 'Happy Hearts' camps will welcome over 200 children throughout June, July and August. Barretstown Camp 2008 children will arrive at the end of June and will be hosted by the Bray Outreach Group.