Monday, 19 March 2012 11:06

CHICKS is a children's charity who provide free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from all over UK. CHICKS help many children from mid Devon and also have a high number of volunteers that visit from the area.

The children CHICKS care for come from a variety of backgrounds. Many live in poverty, suffer abuse, neglect, live in care or are themselves young carers, often bearing the extraordinary responsibility of caring for disabled or terminally ill relatives. There is an ever increasing demand for the service that CHICKS provide and in 2011 we helped 82 children from mid Devon alone.

Freddy is a 12 years old boy from mid Devon who came to CHICKS in April 2011. Freddy is in the care of his aunt following the death of his father and because his mother is also unable to look after him. He has had early childhood experiences that affect his emotional wellbeing, self esteem and confidence. Due to his family's financial circumstances without CHICKS Freddy would not have had the opportunity for a break last year. Freddy loves being outdoors either riding his bike or playing football.

What all the children that come to CHICKS have in common is the desperate need for a break and to create some positive childhood memories. CHICKS give children the chance to go climbing, horse riding and swimming along with many other activities at one of their two retreats in Devon and Cornwall. At CHICKS children feel cared for, valued and are given the chance to make new friends and develop positive adult role models. Along with CHICKS fully trained supervisors these role models are also kind members of the public that volunteer their time to help support these life changing breaks.

Tim Landy is a volunteer who first came on a CHICKS camp in 2009. Since then Tim has volunteer on another four camps and is booked on to another later this year. One of the CHICKS supervisors that worked alongside Tim on camp said "Tim is an excellent volunteer, always offering to lend a hand. He is very appreciative and impressed with what CHICKS does and always puts the kids first."

Tim has also been involved with the charity in a number of fundraising activities. In 2010 he ran Plymouth Half Marathon and managed to raise over £1500 - a truly fantastic achievement. Better still, more recently Tim was involved in the donation from a company trust fund, who gave enough money to CHICKS to cover the cost of an entire camp. Tim said "During my first CHICKS camp I was blown away by all the positive effects that I saw the children benefit from. I came away feeling more rejuvenated than I ever would from taking my own holiday and this inspired me to do whatever I could to help CHICKS care for more underprivileged children: by fundraising, helping out at events and, of course, volunteering on other camps!"

In 2012 CHICKS are proud to celebrate their 20th anniversary since they began in 1992, a huge landmark that could not have reached without their amazing supporters. This year CHICKS aim to give 1,200 disadvantaged children a much needed break. The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals, organizations, community groups, trusts and foundations. Everyone at CHICKS is truly thankful to Tim for all his hard work and to all their other volunteers; your kindness has made a real difference and helped to make over 9,000 children some happy memories that will last a lifetime.

If you are interested in getting involved with CHICKS you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. call 01822 811020 or visit www.chicks.org.uk

ENDS

12/03/12

Notes for Editors:

1, CHICKS was founded in 1992. Our aim is to provide disadvantaged children from across the UK with a free respite break.

2, In 2012 we aim to give 1,200 disadvantaged children a much needed break.

3, We have two retreats in the South West and our breaks run from March to December.

4, 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.

5, In October 2011 CHICKS celebrated taking their 9000th child on camp since they began in 1992 - a huge landmark they are very proud of and could not of reached without amazing supporters. The charity receives no government funding and relies solely on the generosity of individuals, organizations, community groups, trusts and foundations. Help them to reach more children every year.

6, At CHICKS children can run free and be completely safe. Every child gets the total attention of CHICKS 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

*           If you require photographs please use the contact details below

Contact:
Megan Thomson
PR and Communications Assistant
t:          01822 811113
e:         This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
m:        07789 642915
w:         chicks.org.uk
f:          facebook.com/chickscharity
t:          twitter.com/CHICKScharity

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