TOP treatment in the five star surroundings of a first class rehabilitation centre was just a dream for the parents of a generation of Chernobyl children ravaged by disease . . .

But one Bolton woman has spearheaded a remarkable campaign which has turned that dream into reality.

Now youngsters whose lives were blighted by the Chernobyl tragedy of 1986 even before they were born, benefit from the centre which was literally built from rubble.

What was once a derelict building has been transformed into a bright and busy haven for sick children who receive physical treatment and social rehabilitation. The fantastic achievement is down to Nina Rogerson, from Harwood. Five years ago she started helping the families in her home town of Chernigov, just a few miles from Chernobyl.

Food, cash and medicines were initially collected, but Nina had her sights set on creating a rehabilitation centre.

The building was officially opened last June by the British Ambassador in the Ukraine and since then more than 200 youngsters have received treatment.

Today the bright airy rooms are immaculately decorated, with colourful sweeping curtains framing huge windows. Top consultants are among the 28 staff and there is an impressive array of equipment. Medication, injections, vitamins, hydro massage, speech therapy and exercise classes are provided. There is a child psychiatrist and trained teachers take workshops in woodwork and sewing.

The 'English Room' houses toys and games donated by this country and a donated ambulance transports severely disabled youngsters.

Nina said: "Children go to the centre at 8am and stay all day. They love it. It costs £140 for one child to undergo a four week course. This is the only place in the Ukraine which provides social and medical rehabilitation.

"The government in the Ukraine has donated quite a bit of the money but it is the donations from Great Britain, Holland and Belgium, which keep it going. I want to show people that whatever they have donated, has been put to good use.

"I never thought it would be finished, but every time I felt overwhelmed, something from within has driven me on. "It is wonderful to see the children and their families in the centre. It is very emotional to see how much it all means to them and how it improves their quality of life.

"The disaster was 11 years ago, and its legacy is the generation of 11-year-olds with terrible illnesses. Many of their beautiful mothers were expecting at the time.

"I would not have been able to do any of this without the help of a great many people, especially Greater Manchester Waste Ltd who provided a lorry, storage and drivers."

But despite the success, Nina believes only a fraction of the work has been done: "I now want to convert an adjacent derelict building to accommodate families living further away. I would like to create a canteen so that meals would be available and I need of lots of equipment like microwaves and fridges.

"Once more we have an empty crumbling shell of a building and the work starts all over again . . . "

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