THESE youngsters had to use all their strength to tug a 30-tonne fire truck along the runway at RAF Linton-on-Ouse as they raised funds for less fortunate children.

Their aim is to raise £6,500 to bring 13 children from the region devastated by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in to North Yorkshire on a respite trip that may add two years to their lives.

Members of the Easingwold branch of the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children will welcome the children to their homes for a month-long trip in September.

It will offer them a break from the deadly radiation they still live with every day in the villages of Belarus since the world’s worst nuclear accident in 1986.

Hannah Hildrick, 17, whose family will be hosting a child, said: “We are really excited about hosting the children because we’ve worked so hard to raise the money to bring them over here.”

About 40 children aged between five and 17 took part in the sponsored fire truck pull.

Hannah, who is a pupil at Easingwold School, said: “It was quite difficult, especially as a lot of the kids were quite young and quite little, but it was fun.”

Other fundraising events they have held include a supermarket bag pack, a bike ride and dog walk and book sales.

Hannah’s mum, Elaine, said: “Many of the children who come here live in very squalid conditions, sometimes without running water or adequate heating.

“Spending a month with a loving family and being taken to places they could never afford to see is so important to these children. So please help us help them.”

Anybody who would like to donate money to help fund the trip can do so online at justgiving.com/FOCC-EASINGWOLD-2010 Local businesses are also being asked to donate items such as shoes, clothes, child booster seats and vitamins.