WEST Devon children's charity CHICKS has been selected from hundreds of charities across the country to take part in The Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal.

CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from across the UK at its retreats in Brentor and Par in Cornwall.

Head of fundraising and communications at CHICKS Tim Bunting said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to have been chosen for the appeal.

'As a relatively small charity based in the south west, the chance to regularly feature in a national newspaper in the lead up to Christmas is incredible.

'We hope that as well as raising much needed funds, the campaign will also help to spread national awareness of CHICKS.

'Every year we aim to provide 1,200 children with free respite breaks, but to do this we rely on the support of hundreds of volunteers as well as voluntary donations from the public.

'With demand for our breaks increasing, we hope that readers will respond well and help us to brighten the lives of children this year and the next.'

Assistant editor of the Telegraph, Richard Preston, said: 'No matter what the economic climate, the impulse to give to others at Christmas runs deep, and the sums we have raised have been remarkable and have had a truly transformative effect on the lives of those in need.

'In selecting this year's charities we have, as ever, looked for organisations with proven abilities but which, with additional funding, will be able to develop their work in order to assist more people.'

CHICKS runs week-long respite breaks from March to November.

For the third year running, the charity will also be providing children who are unable to celebrate Christmas at home with a special festive break from December 23 to 27.

To find out more about CHICKS and how to get involved, visit the website at http://www.chicks.org.uk">www.chicks.org.uk call 01822 811020 or email [email protected]">[email protected]