Union convoy heads for Chernobyl

Two aid ambulances driven by a group of third-level students last week set off from Mountjoy Square, Dublin, on a seven-day, …

Two aid ambulances driven by a group of third-level students last week set off from Mountjoy Square, Dublin, on a seven-day, 3,000 mile journey to Belarus. The vehicles were bought from the proceeds of a sponsored students' 10K walk which took place last November. The student drivers are headed for an area of Belarus still suffering the effects of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. The two fully-equipped aid ambulances and a minibus are being driven by three officers of the Union of Students in Ireland and one officer of the student union at NUI Galway. Julian de Spainn, president of USI, said the ambulances were "a direct result of the generosity of the 10,000 students who braved the elements last November and walked 10 kilometres to help the children of Chernobyl".