Biggin Hill & Westerham Lions Club are again combining with other Lions Clubs in the South East to send aid to Gomel in Belarus.

As in previous appeals we are asking for shoeboxes (or any small strong boxes ) of goods to be donated.

Alternatively boxes of bulk items, such as clothing, toiletries, stationery, toys, books and educational materials may be donated. Additionally, bicycles, computers, musical instruments, sewing machines and knitting machines are welcome.

LIST OF SUGGESTED ITEMS All Ages Soap & Shampoo Bath & Shower Products Soap Based Liquids Toothpaste & Toothbrushes Hair Brushes and Combs Scarves, Gloves, Hats, Coats, Good Quality Clothing generally Socks & Tights Underwear Costume Jewellery All Office Stationery Paper A4, A3, Art Notebooks, Pads, Envelopes, Pens, Pencils Schoolroom Supplies Computers, modern printers, Sewing Machines Knitting Machines Dress-making equipment House wares, cooking, crockery etc.

Electricity supply 220VAC Miscellaneous Items, Bicycles etc.

Musical Instruments all Types Bulk Cleaning Materials Bulk Sanitary Products Bulk Washing Powder Adults Sanitary Wear Roll-on Deodorants Safety Razors All similar products Men’s and Women’s Clothing of all types Craftsman’s Tools Unwanted spanners, Plumbers Tools, Builder’s tools.

Mechanical Fitters Tools Knitting Wool & needles Yarn.

Material, for Upholstery & Dressmaking.

Curtains, Covers, Bedding, Sheets, Blankets, Duvets Young people Fun versions of goods listed for All Ages.

Tee – Shirts - Tops, School Shirts etc.

Skirts Trousers – Jeans Warm Jackets Hair Accessories Clips, Slides, Grips, Scrunches etc.

Jewellery & Dressing-up Exercise Books, Any components of a back to school kit.

Pens, Pencils.

Coloured Pencils Toys, Puzzles & Games, Lego etc.

Cuddly Toys Colouring Pens Colouring Books Small notebooks Bicycles, Tricycles, Pushchairs & prams Knitting Wool, & Yarn.

Gardening tools & Seeds, for Flowers and Vegetables.

All items must please be as new, or in the case of toiletries and underwear new.

PROHIBITED GOODS FOR SHOEBOX APPEAL The following items cannot be included in shoeboxes as they are considered hazardous by shipping companies or are simply banned: flammable liquids, aerosols, perfumes, aftershave or deodorants, nail varnish, cigarette lighters, matches foodstuffs of any sort including sweets and biscuits and little treats or medical equipment, medicines including vitamins and pain killers. etc..

TMC Gas Power have again kindly agreed to act as a collection point. Boxes may be taken to their workshop behind the (ex)Flight petrol station, Main Road, Biggin Hill between 9.00am and 4.30 Monday to Friday from now until Thursday 1st July.The Lions have been sending aid to Gomel for 10 years. The items sent are those that many of us take for granted but are a luxury to the disadvantaged families and children in Gomel.

On 26th April 1986 the world's worst nuclear accident happened at Chernobyl in the Ukraine when a huge cloud of radio active dust drifted across Eastern Europe and beyond. Gomel was right in its path and a massive dose of radiation was deposited on the area. It is estimated that it could be at least 900 years before the radiation falls to a "safe" level. Very few people in the Gomel Region were totally unaffected by the nuclear fallout and many have to live with its legacy, with Leukaemia, thyroid and bone cancers, which primarily affects the children who have no choice other than to live in the environment. Additionally there are other genetic defects including sight and other health problems and it is estimated that less than 20% of all children in Belarus can be classed as healthy. It is also estimated that at least 10 million people within the whole fallout area will die young and many cannot work or bring up their families. Many families knew no other life for generations than to live and work on the land which is now so contaminated that it cannot be worked and lies barren and their family's lives are destroyed, leading to depression and further sickness.

Just 23 years on from the disaster, Gomel Region is still a relatively poor and almost forgotten part of Eastern Europe and rarely considered to be news worthy. It is left to charities like ours, who continue to care, to ensure that the plight of these people is not forgotten.

Anyone requiring more information on the appeal or interested in finding out more about the largest and most active voluntary service organisation in the world can phone Malcolm Lowing on 01959 576628.