A DONATION from a major bank has allowed CHICKS — the Milton Abbot-based charity which provides free country holidays for vulnerable inner-city children — to redevelop a barn at its coastal retreat site.
The £6,000 from Barclays Bank will be used to convert the existing barn, turning it into a recreational area by installing new flooring, heating, lighting and music.
The charity, which was started in 1992, has seen hundreds of younsters enjoy a holiday, many for the first time — each year CHICKS aims to provide between 650 and 700 free children's spaces.
While on holiday the children are able to enjoy sailing, canoeing, walking, pony trekking and many more activities. The converted barn will provide an additional secure area for the children to play, have fun, relax and enjoy each other's company.
Tracy Izod, senior fundraiser for the charity, said the financial support enabled them to improve their games facilities from this year onwards and would ensure the children enjoyed their break in Devon even more.
Barclays regional community manager Elaine Arnold said the bank hoped by funding the barn conversion the new facility would benefit many young people for years to come.