A six-year-old boy from Eastern Europe whose short life has been blighted by leukaemia is coming to Billericay in March for his first ever holiday.

Egor Kanashonok was born in Belarus and has been ill with the disease since he was two years old.

He is being brought to the UK by the Chernobyl Children Lifeline, a charity which provides holidays for kids living under the shadow of the 1980 Chernobyl disaster.

Egor was brought to their attention by a heart breaking letter which was published by the charity's newsletter.

Written by his mother, it describes their plight in disease-ravished Belarus, and begs her 'English friends' for help.

Egor is now in remission from leukaemia and is due to arrive in Billericay in March.

He will be visiting with his older brother Kirill as he is too young to travel alone.

His trip follows the successful visit of 10 children from Belarus last summer.

Published Friday, February 7, 2003

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