This is the third year that INCO have supported the Ierapetra-based charity Crete For Life, founded by Olimpia Theodoli, which brings children from Belarus, who were affected by the Chernobyl disaster, for a month's holiday to Crete each year.

In 2006 there were 12 children, last year the number had risen to 16 children, and this year we have 17 children, all between the ages of 7 and 15 years old. This year INCO have arranged their most adventurous program yet, and without the help of our various friends within the Greek business community, such support would not be possible. So to all of them we say a big "thank you!" - you've done us proud. In due course we will be naming them all, together with the various INCO members who have done all the work behind the scenes. However, for now, let us just bring you a few details of the events as they happen.

The children and their helpers were transported from their base near Koutsounari on the South Coast to the Knossos Restaurant in Aghios Nikolaos by a coach from Alma Tours arranged by Inga Pediaditi.

An excellent lunch was kindly provided by Vassilis, owner of the Knossos Restaurant, after which the children were escorted to the beach and playground at St Nicholas Bay - an opportunity for a little relaxation and a cooling swim before proceeding to the Pelagos Dive Centre a short distance away.

At 5:00pm Stephanos Banis, the owner of the Dive Centre, took the children, their helpers and a few INCO members for an exciting power boat trip around the Bay, between and around the islands which few of us normally get to see at close quarters.

Upon our return to the Dive Centre approximately one hour later, Stephanos and his colleagues provided fruit juices, snacks and ice cream - a very welcome refreshment! Not only that, the children were given shorts and T-shirts and even the helpers and ourselves received T-shirts.

Shortly afterwards, the coach pulled up at the Dive Centre to take the children back to their South Coast base. We were asked to board the coach so that the children could chorus "Efharisto" and their smiling faces said it all. Our thanks to all who made this afternoon possible.

Today was a chance for the children to learn about a little of the Minoan history of the island with an hour long guided tour of the Institute for Aegean Prehistory Study Centre for East Crete at Pachia Ammos followed by a visit to the ruins of the Minoan town of Gournia. After a break for refreshments at Istron, it was time for a visit to the beach, but it was a very hot day and despite the very liberal applications of suncream, everyone, adults and children alike, seemed to have caught the sun by the time they arrived at Aghios Nikolaos.

All of the party opted for the shade of the Palazzo Café at Barko Restaurant in preference to tables by the beach, and were very appreciative of drinks and picnic meal kindly provided by Barko.

By 6:00pm the younger members of the party were starting to feel the effects of the long hot day, so after thanking the Barko staff for their meal, the children, Olimpia, and her helpers departed for their South Coast base.

With tomorrow forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far, the children will have a welcome opportunity to stay cool with a visit to the AquaSplash Water Park organised by Magda Hirdari-Rapti of Byron Travel.