Moray families will today bid an emotional farewell to a group of disadvantaged Eastern European children who have made the region their home for the past month.
A crew of 19 youngsters from Belarus have touched hearts across the area while staying with locals and enjoying a break from the tough conditions of their homeland.
The group, aged between seven and nine, travelled to Moray as part of the Friends of Chernobyl’s Children initiative.
The annual visits are designed to boost their fragile immune systems, which have been weakened by living in a region affected by radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Local families report that, by the time the youngsters leave their care, there is a noticeable difference in their health and demeanour.
Organisers reported that one small boy described a recent visit to Loch Ness as the “happiest day of his life”.
Eight-year-old Gleb Rice told friends that – until last week – he had thought that the sights he witnessed on the visit existed only in fairy tales.
But in a bittersweet note, Gleb said he “knew” he would never experience a day so enjoyable again.
The month-long stays have been described as having a “miraculous” effect on the participating brood’s health.
Activities manager Helen Janousek said she marvelled at the children’s turnaround since arriving.
She added: “When they arrived, they almost had a grey pallor but within the first week I could see their colour improve.
“I noticed how their energy levels went up the longer they stayed here, and how the bags under their eyes vanished.
“When we had our trip to Loch Ness they were screaming with delight and hopping around in excitement.”
The children are given a year’s supply of vitamins to maintain their health when they return home.
They marked their last weekend in Moray with a trip to the prestigious Gordonstoun public school.
While there, they received a donation of £3,000 which will enable the charity to continue to offer them exciting outings in years to come.
The money was raised during the school’s junior Highland Games event this spring.
Organisers said they were “delighted” to receive the sum, which would boost their fundraising ahead of next summer’s trip.