Drayton Manor Theme Park welcomes children affected by Chernobyl nuclear disaster 

Youngsters from Belarus suffering from illnesses resulting from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster have enjoyed a fun-filled day out at Drayton Manor Theme Park as part of a month-long visit to the Midlands.

Drayton Manor Theme Park’s owners, the Bryan family, have supported the visit for the past 15 years by providing a free day out at the award-winning venue, near Tamworth, Staffordshire.

During their visit, the 14 youngsters, aged between seven and 10, got to experience the theme park’s fantastic collection of rides and attractions, including the newly opened Thomas Land.

The annual visit is organised by Chernobyl Children's Lifeline, a charity that brings children to the UK for month-long recuperation. Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline is focused in Belarus, which received around 70% of the radiation from the world's worst nuclear disaster in April 1986. The effects of this disaster have resulted in children being born with deformities and cancer rates are high.

The month-long break allows the children to breath clean air, drink clean water and eat fresh foods to boost their immune systems, which have been damaged by the radiation.

The four weeks make a huge difference to the children and can add up to two years to their lives.

David Goldsby, chairman of Birmingham Link, which is part of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline, commented: “The children had a great time at Drayton Manor Theme Park and the weather was also kind to us. They really liked the rides, especially Thomas Land.

“I’d like to thank the Bryan family for supporting us over the years.”

Colin Bryan, Managing Director of Drayton Manor, added: “It’s always a delight to see the children enjoy their day out here at the theme park and I look forward to many more years of supporting Birmingham Link and Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline.”

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to Birmingham Link or become a host family with whom the children can stay during their next visit can contact David on 01543 491623 or send an email to juliegoody@onetel.com

Drayton Manor Theme Park was first opened to the public by the Bryan family in 1950, after co-founders, husband and wife, George and Vera Bryan, converted 80 acres of land into a wonderful family pleasure resort.

Almost 60 years later, Drayton Manor has been transformed into an award-winning attraction located in approximately 280 acres of beautiful parkland and packed with amazing rides for all ages. Drayton Manor remains a family owned and run theme park and is one of the Midlands’ most popular attractions with over a million people visiting annually.

The park also features a first class 15-acre zoo that is home to more than 100 different animal species from around the world.

Opening and closing times 

The 2008 season runs until 2nd November. Rides operate from 10.30am to 5pm or 6pm depending on the time of year. The zoo is open throughout the year, except during certain dates each Christmas and New Year. In the run up to Christmas, Thomas Land will be open on selected dates.

For more information, see www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call the 24-hour information line on 0844 472 1950. Tickets can also be bought by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0844 472 1960.

The park’s full address is Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3TW.

Supporting good causes

Drayton Manor Theme Park has a long and proud history of supporting a variety of charities and good causes. Throughout 2008, Drayton Manor will be the National Family Zone Sponsor of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation UK (JDRF UK) and will support a number of Walk to Cure Diabetes events around the country.

These walks raise vital funds as JDRF UK continues to support research into finding a cure for type 1 diabetes and its complications. Type 1 diabetes affects an estimated 350,000 people across the country, including 20,000 children.

Drayton Manor also supports

Birmingham Children’s Hospital

RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution)

Rotary Kids Out

Whittington St Giles Hospice

Tamworth Boxing Club

Drayton Manor Boys Football club

Drayton Manor MG Metro Racing Championship

Awards

Drayton Manor Theme Park won the Best UK Value Destination Award in the Group Leisure Awards 2007, as well as a Silver Award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year at The Excellence in Tourism Awards 2007.

About Thomas Land

Drayton Manor Theme Park’s brand new attraction, Thomas Land, promises to become a hugely popular destination for the legion of Thomas & Friends™ fans across the UK and Europe. Based on the popular Thomas & Friends™ books and the highly successful Thomas Land in Japan, which attracts over a 1.7 million visitors per year, Thomas Land is set within the 280-acre award-winning Drayton Manor Theme Park, which also boasts thrilling rides and a first class zoo, providing total family entertainment. Carefully created in partnership with HIT Entertainment, the producers and rights owners of Thomas & Friends™, Thomas Land features 12 themed rides, including a special Thomas the Tank Engine train ride that takes visitors on an enchanting journey around the three-acre attraction. Alongside this, Thomas Land also boasts the ultimate retail store, brimming with exclusive Thomas & Friends™ merchandise, plus an indoor play arena for younger visitors, new restaurants and private function space.

About HIT Entertainment

HIT Entertainment, owned by private equity investment group Apax Partners, is one of the world's leading independent children's entertainment producers and rights-owners. HIT's portfolio includes properties, such as Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Thomas & Friends™, Pingu™, Fireman Sam™, Angelina Ballerina™ and Rainbow Magic™. HIT represents Fifi and the Flowertots™ in North America and Japan and acts as a worldwide representative for The Jim Henson Company’s library of classic family brands and as representative for The Wiggles® in the UK. Launched in 1989, HIT’s lines of business span television and video production (including studios in the US and the UK), publishing, consumer products licensing and live events. With a catalogue of more than 1,500 hours of young children's programming, HIT sells its shows to more than 240 countries worldwide, in more than 40 different languages and has operations in the UK, US, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. In 2005, the Company joined Comcast Corporation, PBS and Sesame Workshop to launch PBS KIDS SproutSM, a 24-hour digital cable channel and VOD service for preschoolers.  In 2007, HIT and Chellomedia, the European content division of Liberty Global, Inc and its subsidiary ChelloZone, announced a joint venture to launch and distribute JimJam, an international pre-school TV channel (excludes the US, UK and China). For more information, visit www.hitentertainment.com.