A GROUP of Preston schoolchildren are releasing a song that they hope will raise them up to £5,000 for charity.

The fifteen pupils, from Our Lady's High School, in Fulwood, have called their song 'Concern for Chernobyl', in aid of the people suffering the after-effects of the 1986 nuclear disaster, the worst-known reactor tragedy to date.

Two of the singers, Laura Semera and Catriona Sudlow, are pictured.

The catchy song will be performed in the week starting April 19 at the school, and at Queen Mary's School, in Lytham St Annes, along with a number of fund-raising events.

The money raised will be put towards the refurbishment of four toilets and dilapidated shower blocks in an orphanage in Osipovichi, a town South East of Minsk, Belarus.

The two charities, which hope to raise a total of £12,000 from all the fund-raising events, are called Medicine Chernobyl and Belarus Aid.

Dominic Swarbrick, who has visited the area several times with Medicine Chernobyl, said: "It's a brilliant idea and I just hope we can raise enough money to help the people who suffered after the nuclear disaster."

The song, written by Preston songwriter Ray Sudlow, also has a number recorded on its B-side, called We Can Make A Change.

The charities are also appealing to any plumbers and joiners who would be willing to fly to Chernobyl to help install the equipment in the buildings in August.

People who wish to help the charity and buy a single, priced £1.50 for a tape and £2.50 for a CD, should contact Dominic Swarbrick on 713396 or Sue Halton on 01257-463703.

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