NINE-year-old Sam Hutchings from Gunnislake recently enjoyed a brush with royalty when he met the Countess of Wessex at the Royal Cornwall Show. The Countess was on an official tour of the showground and made a special visit to a stand run by charity CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids) where she met representatives, including Sam, who attended CHICKS last year. The Countess looked around the beach-themed stand and made time to take part in a fishing game with Sam where they both won prizes. Sam spoke about his experience with the charity, and the activities he took part in which included horse riding, climbing and team games at the charity's retreat in Brentor. Sam said: 'At first I was scared and nervous but then Sophie made me feel calm and she was really interested when I was trying to explain to her about CHICKS. She was lovely. 'All my friends and teachers at school asked me what she was like, if she was pretty and what we talked about, and now they want to raise money for CHICKS as well.' Sam's mother Harriet said she was 'really proud' of her son: 'Sam has an older brother who suffers from autism and ADHD which means we live in a very stressed environment and sometimes Sam just needs a break — CHICKS gives him a chance to get away and for it to be about him and for him to be the special person.' CHICKS was one of the official charities for the Royal Cornwall Show this year and was recently awarded the Queen's Award for voluntary service. To find out more about CHICKS visit http://www.chicks.org.uk ">www.chicks.org.uk ;