BBC TV presenter Victoria Graham took a trip to West Devon last week, to meet and present a certificate to the 5000th child to have a free respite break with Brentor-based children?s charity CHICKS. CHICKS is a national charity that provides free respite breaks to disadvantaged children from across the UK. Since the charity began 15 years ago with 20 disadvantaged children taking a break in the countryside under canvas, CHICKS has grown to own two fully equipped Retreats in West Devon, where they currently offer more than 600 holidays each year. Victoria said: ?The work CHICKS does with these children is amazing and it?s an honour to be here today to help celebrate such an important milestone in the charity?s development. ?I?ve been on a tour of the facilities here and I think CHICKS is a wonderful charity and well worth supporting.? The disadvantaged children that enjoy a break at CHICKS come from a background of poverty, some suffer neglect, many are victims of abuse, and others are themselves child carers, bearing the extraordinary responsibility of caring for disabled or terminally ill relatives. What the children have in common is the need for a break away from their difficult home lives and to be given the chance to be children again. CHICKS operations manager Rod Webb-Taylor said: ?During their week with CHICKS the children will take part in activities such as horse riding, body boarding, team games, trips to the zoo and countless other fun activities. ?The most important thing is that these children receive as much adult care and attention as they need with our high ratio of 1adult to every 2 children. ?We have seen so many children grow in confidence and learn to trust again over the last 15 years, and knowing that we have now been able to help 5000 children and give so many positive memories is fantastic.? The charity receives no government funding, and relies solely upon the support of private donors, companies, trusts and foundations, and the dedication of its volunteers. For more information go to http://www.chicks.org.uk">www.chicks.org.uk or call 01822 811020.