FRIENDS of Chernobyl s Children have discovered they will not be billed for health care received by one of the youngsters in their charge. The charity had been told by Addenbrooke s Hospital to expect a bill for £8,000 to cover care, surgery, and scans gi

FRIENDS of Chernobyl's Children have discovered they will not be billed for health care received by one of the youngsters in their charge.

The charity had been told by Addenbrooke's Hospital to expect a bill for £8,000 to cover care, surgery, and scans given to Vlad Bonich, who had an operation at Addenbrooke's during a visit to the UK earlier this month.

However, it has now been discovered that an agreement is in place covering health care for citizens of Belarus in the UK, meaning the charity will not have to pay.

Nicola Dunklin, from friends of Chernobyl's Children, said: "We were told about the payment by a member of staff who hadn't realised a reciprocal agreement was in place.

"Addenbrooke's looked into the situation and quickly rectified it, so there will be no bill."

Vlad was in a group of children who visited Royston.

He underwent a two-hour operation as a result of hydrocephalus, which is a build up of fluid around the surface of the brain.