Laois Rose Kate Hyland is great ambassador in Chernobyl

2016 Laois Rose Kate Hyland, has just returned from an emotional volunteering trip to Belarus with Adi Roche and Chernobyl Children International.

The Clough native who teaches in Portarlington, was accompanied by 17 of her fellow roses including the 2016 Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowney.

The Roses stayed in the Vesnova Childrens Mental Asylum where 170 of the young victims of the Chernobyl nuclear tragedy that happened 30 years ago  have been instituitionalized. Many of the children are still being born with horrific deformities and other illness's directly or indirectly linked to the radiation from the nuclear accident.

The roses spent their time working with the worst affected children giving them one to one care and attention which they dont get from one end of the day to the other.

Adi Roche, voluntary CEO of Chernobyl Children praised Kate an the other Roses.

"This is the fifth year that the Rose of Tralee Festival have sent a delegation of volunteers over to Belarus and they bring such an energy and hearts full of love to the unfortunate children of Vesnova. They are such wonderful ambassadors for their familes, their communities and to the Rose of Tralee Festival also," she said.

The selection process is underway to become the 2017 Laois Rose which is supported by the Leinster Express. For more contact Lyn 0834631611 or Steve 086 2505791 or email laoisroseoftralee@gmail.com