Mayor welcomes children from Belarus to Mossley Mill

The visit, organised by Councillor John Blair, was hosted by Mayor John Scott and his wife Audrey.

A group of around 35 people - 16 Belarusian children aged eight to 15 years and their host families from the Newtownabbey branch of the Chernobyl Children’s Appeal - enjoyed a tour of the council’s headquarters followed by supper.

At the conclusion of their visit, the Mayor presented the children with goodie bags containing colouring books, pencils and pens.

“These children come from some really poor backgrounds and it was incredible just how appreciative they were of such a simple thing like a colouring book or a pencil,” Cllr Scott commented. “I think it is fantastic of these families to bring these children and young people over here and welcome them into their own homes for three weeks. It’s absolutely brilliant.”

Cllr Blair added: “I would like to thank the Mayor and Mayoress for their hospitality on the night, and on behalf of the council I’d like to thank the host families for all the incredible work they do.”