News and Recent Reports
Learn more about what we do and catch up on the latest stories from Belarus
Leo Christie is our young overseas ambassador for Bridges to Belarus!
Leo held a tombola at his school, King Richard School in Cyprus, in aid of Bridges to Belarus. Leo raised an amazing €160! Not only this, he continues to raise money via other ideas that he thinks up in different ways. Leo is an innovator! Leo has been involved with Bridges pretty much since he was born as his parents, Fiona and Wayne, have been long-term supporters of the charity. Leo’s brother Sean and sister Annabelle are also following Leo’s amazing example.
Thank you Leo for your amazing support! We will make sure that every penny is used to its utmost.
Domestic violence project with Lady ryder memorial trust
Domestic violence and violence against children has always been an issue that Bridges to Belarus has addressed. We are fortunate to have secured a three year funding grant from the Lady Ryder Memorial Trust to support our work with victims of domestic violence and develop this area of our work further. We are very grateful to the Trustees of LRMT for their support and we are actively looking for further sources of funding so we can expand this project currently.
summer 2019
This year, Rachel was joined by Hollie. Sails of Childhood organisation, which we link closely with in Belarus, has had a huge influx of new families to their numbers recently so more support was needed. In addition, we were able to help those affected by domestic violence thanks to our generous grant from the Lady Ryder of Warsaw Memorial Trust.
SUMMER SCHOOL 2018
Sheila visited towards the end of August to deliver another English language summer school at School Number 5 in Rogachev and follow up outstanding projects after Rachel and Sarah’s visit in July.
SUMMER 2018
Rachel and Sarah had a busy visit to Rogachev. The past year has been particularly hard - employment in the region has hit an all-time low, government benefits for large families and disabled citizens have been cut drastically and many people are severely struggling.
FAIRGROUND MODEL SHOW: MARCH 2018
One of our dedicated supporters, Mick Reynolds, hosted a Fairground Model Show at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge in March 2018; the proceeds from which were donated to Bridges to Belarus. Mick is an extremely skilled model maker and travels around the country exhibiting them at similar fairs.
summer 2017
Rachel was accompanied by pediatric nurse Alison Brain to Belarus. Alison has a number of years’ experience working with an orphanage in Uganda and proved invaluable. Many of our families are currently struggling with unemployment.
august 2017
Sheila Furley once again travelled to Rogachev during the long Summer break to lead the English Language Summer School, catching up with former pupils who are now studying at University.
august 2016
Sheila's report from the August 2016 Summer School, as well as a visit to Anna and Volodya's new house.
july 2016
Rachel and Sarah visited Belarus in July, which is slightly later than normal. The schools were on holiday so we were able to see more of the children than usual.
august 2015
Sheila Furley travelled on her own to Belarus in August 2015 to lead a 5-day Summer School at Rogachev's School No 5.
Summer 2015
Melanie Hinks joined Rachel for the visit.
AUGUST 2014
Ellie caught up with some old friends and made some new ones, while Sheila concentrated on running the Summer School at School Number 5.
may 2014
Rachel travelled out to Belarus accompanied by Sarah Greaves on her first ever visit. Thanks to the donation of a sponsor, Anna and Volodya's new house is coming along.