Wedding bliss was never happier than for one former resident of Belarus, the area adjacent to the site of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, Natasha who, in her earlier years, was a house guest of the Cassidy family in Lisnaskea and, just last year, returned a an interpreter with the annual Lisnaskea Chernobyl Children's Appeal group.
The group has been going for the past 14 years and, Jimmy McNamee, along with Mary Cassidy and the late Phyllis Maguire was involved from the start. He and his wife, Mary have got to know Natasha well and, in fact, they were invited out to her wedding, but couldn't make it.
But, he has been to Belarus and h opes to return. So, why was the Chernlbyl group founded?
"We saw an advert on television, and the three of us organised a meeting. It took off from there and we started taking the children over. We had 26 in the first year. That was a big group at the time because we didn't know what we were really getting into. The children were all accommodated with local families, from Lisnaskea and Newtownbutler".
Readers will be familiar with the fall-out from the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, the soil for thousands of miles around polluted, making crops unsuitable for human and beast, and causing cancers and resultant ill-health. However, even the annual three-week holiday in Lisnaskea, with proper food, it is estimated, can added up to 'x' years to a young person's life.
As the Lisnaskea's group's workload became known, they extended the catrchment area for host families into west Tyrone but, as families tired, so the numbers had to be reduced, to around 10.
"We would love more families", Jimmy. "In fact, the more families we get, the easier it is to raise money to get more children in. Last year, it cost about 350 euro per child for the flight alone. On top of that there is the insurance and the visas we have to get on thew far side and there's the tranport over there as well".
In recent years, the Lisnaskea Group had the benefit of Owen Mohan's generous, freely-given coach to collect the children from Belarus at Shannon and back again, and at times in between for trips.
"It used to cost us up to £1,400 for the bus", Jimmy explained, "so we're indebted to Owen and people and groups like him who give us free use of their facilities. For example, the Lakeland Forum, Bundoran Waterworld, a bowling centre in Cavan, and the Share Centre in Lisnaskea which is one of the most popular centres with the children. The staff put up a day for them and they really love it".
Finally, Jimmy along with Dominic and Una Reihill got out to Belarus to see the children, and their families.
"We had a great time, a powerful time. I would loved to have stayed longer, although I am hoping to go out there again. In fact, the family of a wee girl we had hosted wanted us to stay with them, but we had alerady booked into an hotel in Mozyr. It was then we met up with Natasha and another interpreter, Helen".
Natasha, of course, already got to know Jimmy when she was here as a youngster and stayed with Mary Cassidy and he was top of hers and helen's wedding guest list.
"I couldn't go but Natasha is definitely coming this year to Lisnaskea, although Helen can't come as she had taken up a teaching post. It does mean a lot to them to get a break. Really, compared to us, they have nothing.
"For instance, you rarely see a baby being wheeled in a pram, and the reason is as soon as the baby is born they have to get a passport, and that costs money, and they can't leave the hospital until they do that".
But, better news is this year's Chernobyl group are due to arrive on 10th July. Anyone who would like to host a child/children next year (this year's intake is booked) can contact Jimmy or any of the committee.
