WHILE most people were sitting in front of their fires, surrounded by family, friends and gifts at Christmas, some children were not so lucky to be able to celebrate in such a way.

That was until a West Devon-based children's charity held its first ever Christmas camp to give some youngsters across the UK a chance to escape their troubles and enjoy a festive break.

CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids), which provides disadvantaged children from across the UK with free respite breaks throughout the year, held its very first Christmas Camps at both its moorland retreat in Brentor and coastal one in Cornwall.

At Christmas, 32 children from Plymouth and Birmingham had the opportunity to celebrate away from their everyday struggles.

The CHICKS professional team gave their time for free to make these camps possible and, teamed with experienced volunteers, helped to make it a memorable Christmas for all involved.

All the children booked onto the special break were very excited. But there is a reason why these children are in need.

The children the charity cares 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, bearing the extraordinary responsibility of caring for disabled or terminally ill relatives.

CHICKS aims to create some positive childhood memories for them, to listen to them and give the youngsters the kind of fun all children deserve.

One boy, aged 12, has suffered a history of emotional and physical abuse and the youngster has been the subject of a Child Protection Order. When told his son may not be home for Christmas his father expressed delight at the thought of his absence.

The boy suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Staff at his school were concerned and contacted CHICKS so the boy could have a Christmas he would cherish forever.

After the camp he said: 'My happiest memory of camp was Christmas because we were like one big family — it was the best Christmas ever!'

One girl, Aisha, said her best bit of the week was making his Secret Santa present and seeing his face when he opened it.

Other comments from the children who attended the camps included: 'The supervisors were all just funny and were always making someone smile', 'My happiest memory is horse-riding because it's been one thing I've always wanted to do' and 'It was nice to have a Christmas with no arguing and everyone having fun'.

Before arriving at the camps, each child wrote down what they wanted for Christmas. One child asked for a chicken to be sent to Africa — this child came from a family with no money.

As well as the team and the children, CHICKS camps could not operate without the support of the generous volunteers. The charity was inundated with requests from previous camp volunteers to take part in the Christmas camps.

Volunteer Heather Lockwood said after the camp: 'Words cannot describe what a privilege it has been to spend one of the best weeks of my life with the most inspiring group of young people and amazing adults. The experience we have shared will stay with me forever.'

Nathan Counter, CHICKS supervisor, who was one of the team who had the initial idea for the Christmas Camps, said: 'I still can't quite believe what we have achieved. It was the most incredible week of my life and an unbelievable experience.

'Truly the most rewarding thing I have ever done and something I am extremely proud of CHICKS for making happen — we have given the children a Christmas they will always remember. It was a privilege to work with truly inspirational adults and the most deserving, amazing kids.'

Children on the camps took part in many festive activities, including a nativity, arts and crafts, ice-skating at the Plymouth Ice Angel's Rink on Boxing Day, seeing the Theatre Royal pantomime on Christmas Eve and many other activities.

Thanks were expressed to everyone involved in the Christmas Camps.

l To read more about the camps and to see more photographs visit the CHICKS Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/chickscharity">www.facebook.com/chickscharity or visit the charity's website at http://www.chicks.org.uk">www.chicks.org.uk for ways to get involved.