F JOURNEY or HOPE
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The Hawk is always touched by the willingness of people in the transport Industry to help those most in need.
So step forward, Terry Richards, a TLS maintenance controller at the company's Wednesbury branch, who recently made a trip to take aid to orphanages in Belarus.
The country is still suffering from the effects of fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear plant accident in 1886. Many people developed cancer and genetic disorders linked to radiation, and a vast area of contaminated land is still unsafe to farm today.
Terry's team, which included his TLS colleague, Joanne Redding, took medical sup plies, clothes and toys for children in the orphanages. But not all of the children have lost their parents.
Terry says: Some of the children are orphans, but many are left by parents who simply can't cope, which isn't surprising as only one in 10 children is born healthy."
On this trip, the team, travelling in a minibus and 7.5-tonne boxvan donated by TLS, visited an orphanage south of Minsk and an assessment centre for children abandoned by their parents. The group, now back at home, is already planning next year's trip. If anyone wants to help or make a donation, contact Terry on 0121 602 5792.