COUNTRY Holidays for Inner City Kids (CHICKS), the Brentor-based children's charity, has received a New Year boost in the shape of a donation from a national rail company.

CrossCountry has donated £1,500 to the charity, which provides disadvantaged children from all over the UK with much needed breaks. The money was raised through a 'Dress Down Friday' initiative at the head office in Birmingham and also from the annual employee survey, which saw £1 being donated for every form received.

Andy Cooper, managing director of CrossCountry, said: 'Our employees have been extremely enthusiastic during 2009 in raising funds for CHICKS. There continues to be a true passion within CrossCountry for the charity and we are constantly thinking of new ways and fresh initiatives to raise money for them.'

CHICKS provides support for disadvantaged children; the children might be in poverty, be the children of prisoners or may have suffered physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Roy Endacott, chief executive of CHICKS, said: 'CrossCountry trains have made such a difference in helping many more children receive a free respite break at CHICKS in 2009.'

The charity also benefits from the partnership because the employees of CrossCountry have the opportunity to work in the Dartmoor 'Moorland' retreat as volunteers.