Helen Bate had a young family in 1986, living close to North Wales, at a time when the area was badly affected by the Chernobyl radioactive fallout. Farmers there were prevented from selling their affected livestock for the next 25 years. Helen’s sister lived in Austria at the time of the disaster, one of the countries most affected by the fallout. Here the government ordered the removal of sand in playgrounds, and the cancelling of outdoor activities in parks and schools. Helen’s two young nephews were unable to play outside for many weeks until it was declared safe. Items disappeared from the shops due to restrictions on the consumption of vegetables, fruit, milk and mushrooms. At the time of the disaster, Helen’s brother-in-law was employed at the headquarters of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna, a body that was heavily involved in monitoring the global situation. In 2006 Helen became involved in the work of a local Chernobyl Children’s Charity when her daughter Rachel (born the year before the disaster), travelled to Belarus to film a student documentary about the ongoing health problems in the area and the work of the Chernobyl Children’s Charities. Helen has been follwing the events that took place after Chernobyl ever since, while also building a high reputation as a graphic novelist who tackles real issues. She lives in Shropshire, England.