A CHARITY worker from Blackburn who has spent over a decade helping the children of Chernobyl has been named the Barnardo's Lancashire Woman of the Year.' Olwyn Keogh, founder of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children charity, first became involved with the cause when she invited 10-year-old Veronica Petrova into her Blackburn home in 1994.

Since then she has helped thousands of children from the radiation-stricken Ukraine town make visits to England so that they can have a holiday and recuperative care.

Olwyn, formerly of Knowsley Road West, said: "After meeting Veronica I knew that my involvement could not end with just one visit.

"The children struggle - they have never eaten an uncontaminated meal or breathed clean air. There has got to be more for these children."

The 61-year-old, who now lives in Chipping, continuously works with authorities in the countries contaminated by the nuclear blast and also visits the families identified as needy.

Event organiser, Shirley Kewley from Barnardo's said: These children have become her life's mission. Due to her inspiring leadership and unflagging commitment around 600 children will be visiting families in the UK for four weeks each this year, which is the 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

"This gives a clear indication of how her selfless devotion to the work, her dedication and tireless efforts affects an increasing number of children annually."

Receiving her award at a ceremony held in Langho, Olwyn said: "I am completely overwhelmed. It is a tremendous honour for me and a tremendous honour for the charity.

"I would like to thank everyone who helps us - on a completely unpaid basis - for all their hard work, particularly the local people of Blackburn who have been there from the beginning."

Also nominated for the award were Feeraz Begum, founder of Caring Today, Ribble Valley councillor Joyce Holgate and retired social worker Barbara Storey.

Feeraz's work in the Brierfield community providing respite care for children with profound learning disabilities has been inspired by her daughter Sannah, who is terminally ill.

She is continually thanked for her efforts and commitment in providing a service to over 100 families this year alone.

Coun Holgate, from Whalley, has been praised for her huge drive to find out which issues are important to people and taking them on until they are sorted.

Barbara started the Friends in Bereavement group 20 years ago in Burnley to offer support to those who had lost a loved one.

This quickly had so many members that Barbara, with the help of husband Allen, began a second group in Nelson.

One member said: "This lady turned my life around, and enhanced the lives of many others.

"We can't thank her enough."