A GROUP of disadvantaged children had a magical Christmas this year, thanks to the support of West Devon-based charity CHICKS.

The children, aged eight to 13, travelled from as far afield as Birmingham and Oxford to spend the Christmas week at the charity's retreats in Brentor and Cornwall.

More than 25 children attended the special festive breaks along with 12 volunteers and six charity staff who gave up Christmas with their own families to support the children who would otherwise have missed out on a traditional Christmas at home.

During the week, the children took part in a wide range of activities, including watching the pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, visiting Santa's grotto and attending a carol service.

On Christmas day the children received presents and stockings and enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner surrounded by new friends.

Respite Break Leader, Andy Hopkins, who spent the week with the children, said:

'The week was incredible and all the children, volunteers and staff have had a fantastic time.

'It's been a real privilege to recreate a traditional Christmas for these children and to give them the kind of Christmas I remember from my own childhood, one filled with lots of friends, good food, presents and festivities.

'It's hard to believe but for some of the children, this has been the only Christmas they've ever known.

'One little girl was surprised and delighted to receive a Christmas stocking.

'She asked me, "Are all these presents really for me?" She then asked, "Do I get to keep them?" It was clearly her first Christmas stocking and it was wonderful to see her face light up as she opened it.

'I'd also like to say a huge thank you to all of our supporters who helped make these breaks possible and of course, to the volunteers who selflessly gave up Christmas with their own families to support the children — we couldn't have done it without them.'

Volunteer Alice Walker-Shakespeare, from Birmingham, said: 'It's been wonderful seeing everyone enjoy this Christmas break.

'We have done so much, made so many friends and had a massive load of fun.

'One of my favourite moments of this week was when we did a Secret Santa.

'I sat with the children and helped them wrap their presents for each other and seeing the thought they put into each present was lovely.'

CHICKS is a children's charity that provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children. As well as special Christmas breaks, the charity runs weekly respite breaks from March to November for disadvantaged children from right across the UK. Since its inception in 1992, CHICKS has helped over 12,000 disadvantaged children.

CHICKS relies on hundreds of volunteers every year as well as voluntary donations to make the breaks possible.

For information on CHICKS visit http://www.chicks.org.uk">www.chicks.org.uk or call 01822 811020.