It was an experience which Louth Rose, Megan Ferguson, said 'has touched my heart forever.'

Having just returned from a week volunteering at an asylum in Belarus with the Adi Roche and Chernobyl Children International foundation, the Carlingford native said it was an 'emotional' experience that has encouraged her to continue working with the charity

Megan was joined on the trip by 17 of her fellow Roses, including the 2016 Rose of Tralee Maggie McEldowny.

For the entire week they lived and volunteered in the Vesnova Children's Mental Asylum where 170 of the young victims of the Chernobyl nuclear tragedy that happened 30 years ago have been institutionalized.

'Many of the children are still being born with horrific deformities and other illnesses directly or indirectly linked to the radiation from the nuclear accident,' said Megan.

She describe how their development had been so affected that they still appear to be children, even though many are now up to 20 years old.

'They were so excited to see new people visiting that they just ran over and hugged us when we arrived,' said Megan.

The Roses spent their time working with the worst affected children giving them one to one care and attention which they don't get from one end of the day to the other.

'Normally, they would only have two changes in a day, morning and evening. It's the only human contact they have from day to day,' said Megan.

'We helped out in the best ways we could, feeding and changing, but really what they wanted more than anything was love.'

Despite the high emotions of the trip, Megan said she didn't leave 'heartbroken', but was spurred on to do more for the charity. 'I am intending to go back again, as the experience really touched my heart.'

Although Megan will be handing over her crown next month to a new Louth Rose, she will represent her county in Chicago and New York during the St.Patricks day celebrations.

The Argus