Over the last few months families have been working together in Brentor, Tavistock and Gulworthy and formed the Tavy Youth Group, backed by the Tavy Mission Community and Brentor Parochial Church Council.

They have formed a partnership with children's charity CHICKS and young people are able to use games and sports facilities at the charity's retreat when they are not being used by their own young visitors.

The Tavy Youth Group has also volunteered help at CHICKS and has been busy creating a new maze. They will be lending a hand with decorating and gardening in readiness for the spring and the arrival of more children to enjoy a respite break in Brentor.

Meanwhile the youth group and their parents were kept busy baking and making Christmas presents to welcome those children who spent Christmas at CHICKS.

The charity held special camps for children who would otherwise not have had a proper Christmas.

CHICKS, which provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from across the UK, ran the camps at its retreats in Brentor and Par.

Children had the opportunity to escape their problems at home and celebrate Christmas in a safe, friendly and fun environment, full of treats and festivities.

CHICKS staff and volunteers generously gave up time with their own families to give the children a Christmas to remember.

Anyone who would like to support CHICKS can do so by visiting http://www.chicks.org.uk">www.chicks.org.uk or calling 01822 811020 for more information.