WEST Devon based charity CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) is to launch a new fundraising appeal, to enable it to welcome hundreds of disadvantaged children from across the UK to its new Brentor base. Since 1992 CHICKS have provided respite breaks for more than 4,500 disadvantaged children, and with the opening of their new centre they plan to help many more under-privileged children. CHICKS operations manager, Rod Webb-Taylor, said: ?Our aim is to provide fun, positive respite breaks for at least 1,000 children, from across the country, every year. To achieve this we will need to be raising £1 million annually, by 2010. With the generosity of our supporters, and despite receiving no Government funding, we are determined to achieve this goal.? CHICKS provides care and encouragement to children who have been abused, who live in poverty, who have been neglected, who live in care or who are themselves ?child carers?, often bearing the extraordinary responsibility of caring for disabled or terminally ill relatives. During their week long break children receive as much attention and support as possible, enjoying a wealth of experiences from pony trekking to rock climbing, as well as the opportunity to make new and often long lasting friendships. CHICKS head of fundraising, Elanor Hoskin, said the charity would be launching a new appeal to raise the funds needed to help even more children. ?CHICKS vision is to give every disadvantaged child the opportunity to feel valued. We are launching CHICKS ?Million Memories? Appeal, to help bring laughter and smiles into the lives of so many more disadvantaged children. ?By supporting our ?Million Memories? Appeal people can help such children realise that there can be a better future.? If you would like to support CHICKS ?Million Memories? Appeal please contact Elanor on 01822 811020 or e-mail [email protected]">[email protected]
