Wednesday, 16 February 2011 13:30

Big Bear Walk at Par Athletic Club

Children’s charity CHICKS are appealing to all teddy bear lovers to take part in the Big Bear Walk which takes place at Par Athletic Club on Sunday 10^th April. The walk is one mile long and afterwards children can stay to take part in teddy bear themed games, joining the charity’s own Big Bear ‘Mas’ and also Crealy’s ‘Swampy’ the Swampmonster! There will also be lots of other entertainment and activities for family members of all ages to enjoy.

CHICKS would like to thank Plymouth University Students, Amy Gallacher and Kirstie Baigent for organising the event. Amy and Kirstie said, “The aim of the Big Bear Walk is to raise £12,752 which is the amount it costs to run one CHICKS camp. CHICKS Patron Kate Winslet has endorsed the Big Bear Walk and it was her idea to set one specific goal which everyone taking part in the event understood.”

CHICKS Patron, Kate Winslet, said, “The Big Bear Walk is aimed at families with young children and their teddy bears. CHICKS is a fantastic charity, providing respite breaks for disadvantaged children from all across the UK. Please take part in the Big Bear Walk to show your support for this wonderful charity with which I have been personally involved for many years.”

CHICKS would like to thank Parnall Solicitors of Launceston for sponsoring the event and for nominating them as their charity of the year.

This year CHICKS aims to provide 1,200 FREE respite breaks to underprivileged children, who come from all over the UK to stay at one of their two retreats in Devon and Cornwall. The children CHICKS care for come from a variety of backgrounds. Many have been abused, live in poverty, or have been neglected. Others live in care or are themselves young carers, often bearing the extraordinary responsibility of caring for disabled or terminally ill relatives. What they have in common is the desperate need to create some positive childhood memories, to be listened to, and to have the kind of fun that all children deserve.

To register for the walk you can download a registration form directly from www.chicks.org.uk, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone Mick on 01822 811124. CHICKS are also encouraging people to join their Facebook fan site where they will be posting updates on the Big Bear Walk from now until the big day! www.facebook.com/chickscharity

ENDS

01/02/2011

CHICKS notes to Editors:

CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) is a registered charity. CHICKS camps run from March to December and in October 2010 CHICKS celebrated taking their 8000th child on camp since they began in 1992 - a landmark the charity are very proud of!

In 2011 CHICKS aim to help 1,200 children with a free respite break, spending six days at one of their retreats in Devon or Cornwall. CHICKS need support to achieve this goal.

The children CHICKS care for come from a variety of backgrounds. Many have been abused, live in poverty, or have been neglected. Others live in care or are themselves young carers, often bearing the extraordinary responsibility of caring for disabled or terminally ill relatives. What they have in common is the desperate need to create some positive childhood memories, to be listened to, and to have the kind of fun that all children deserve.

At CHICKS children can run free and be completely safe. Every child gets the total attention of their fully trained supervisors, and are made to feel cared for and valued.

*We request that journalists include the website in all reporting www.chicks.org.uk

*We request that journalists refer to CHICKS breaks as respite breaks and not holidays

Photographs available on request

Media contact:

Mick Ryan, CHICKS Fundraiser

Office - 01822 811020

Mobile – 07743 287185

www.chicks.org.uk

www.facebook.com/chickscharity

www.twitter.com/CHICKScharity

Registered Charity in England & Wales (1080953) and in Scotland (SCO40536)