Fawley (July 7, 2006) -- Children from the tragic city of Chernobyl are to be welcomed by a water ski club based near Ringwood, which has been kitted out for the season with new equipment bought by Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley.

The youngsters, many of whom suffer from leukaemia 20 years after the nuclear disaster in the Ukraine, will be able to take part in action-packed activities at the Ellingham Club at the Blashford Lakes as part of their trip to the UK on 18 July. They are being hosted by the Eastleigh (Hampshire) Link of the Chernobyl Children’s Lifeline charity, through which local families host children each year for a holiday.

The water ski club, which comes under the umbrella of British Water Ski, the national body for the sport and the charity the British Disabled Water Ski Association, is one of just a few in Great Britain to cater for a range of disabilities including amputees, blind, deaf, sufferers of partial paralysis, paraplegic and other wheelchair users, people with multiple sclerosis and learning difficulties.

The club is equipped with facilities specifically designed to enable disabled people to take part in the sport and has recently taken delivery of some special equipment called Root 5s which you can sit on, as well as new wet suits and ropes. This equipment was paid for with a grant of £1,000 from Esso and ExxonMobil Chemical at Fawley. Last year the company made a grant which paid for a special ramp to be built to enable easier access for disabled people to the water.

The grants were donated under a special scheme designed to recognise the efforts of ExxonMobil employees and their families who contribute their time, talent and energy to schools, charities and non-profit making organisations. The grant scheme not only helps local organisations, but also improves the links between ExxonMobil and the local community. Adrian Yates, a shift leader at the refinery, was the recipient of the grant because of his family’s ongoing interest with the club.

He said: “Many disabled people see waterskiing as an extreme sport which just isn’t an option for them, but we are able to dispel that myth and enable them to enjoy the experience. With the help of expert instructors we see disabled people forget the restrictions of the land, leave their disability behind and feel the freedom of the water. It is possible with the right equipment and expertise to learn to water ski, whatever your disability.”

The ExxonMobil Volunteer Involvement Programme has so far contributed more than £100,000 to local community projects since it was started three years ago. The company is committed to being a good neighbour and awards a number of grants to local charities, community organisations and schools each year.