Notes for Editors: -

1, CHICKS provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children and young carers from across the UK.

2, In 2013, funding permitting, we hope to be able to provide another 1,200 disadvantaged children with the opportunity of a free respite break in the countryside and by the sea.

3, We have two retreats in the South West; one on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon and one of the south coast of Cornwall.

4, We run 78 weeks of breaks a year from early March to early December. For the last two years we have also run breaks over Christmas for children who would otherwise miss out.

5, 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.

6, In September 2012 we celebrated taking our 10,000th child since we began in 1992 - a huge landmark which we are very proud of and could not have reached without our amazing supporters. The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals, organisations, community groups, trusts and foundations.

7, At CHICKS children can run free and be completely safe. Each child receives the support, attention and encourage of three fully trained CHICKS staff on each camp plus up to eight, fully vetted, adult volunteers. With such a high adult to child ratio the children are made to feel cared for and valued.

8, 40% of the children we support come back year on year. We stay in touch with the children throughout the year via regular letter writing, the provision of Christmas and Birthday cards and each child also received individually wrapped Christmas presents to put under their trees.

* 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

* If you require photographs please use the contact details below

Contact:

Jenny Venning

Deputy Head of Fundraising

t: 01822 811125

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w: chicks.org.uk

f: facebook.com/chickscharity

t: @CHICKScharity

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