A student from Chester is giving up her family Christmas to support disadvantage children.
University of Chester student Alice Walker-Shakespeare, 20, is giving back to the charity that supported her as a child.
She will travel 265 miles to the CHICKS charity retreat in Devon where she will be joined by five other volunteers, three charity staff and over a dozen disadvantaged children for a residential Christmas break.
This is the second Christmas in a row that Alice has volunteered at the national charity that provides free respite breaks for disadvantaged children from across the UK. In addition to its regular respite breaks, the charity holds special Christmas breaks from December 23 – 27 for children who are unable to enjoy Christmas at home.
This includes children who are living in extreme poverty, in emergency care or face the responsibility of being a young carer for a sick or disabled relative.
Alice originally became involved with the charity when she was a child. Growing up she was a young carer for her mother and brothers and enjoyed a much-needed break with the charity when she was 13. Her experience had such a profound effect on her that she later decided to return as a volunteer.
She said: ‘‘We did a huge range of fun activities but what I enjoyed most was the freedom; being free from the city and also from all the pressures of my home life. I now want to give back to CHICKS what they had given me as a child.
‘‘Last Christmas I had the most magical Christmas ever. For many of the children that Christmas was different to those they had previously dreaded, a Christmas where they were able to be happy and excited like every child should be at that time of year.
‘‘Being able to support them through the festive period was very rewarding. Seeing their faces light up every time they challenged themselves, tried something new, and especially when they woke up to gifts specifically chosen for them on Christmas morning, are moments that will stay with me for life.
‘‘By volunteering again this Christmas I can experience last year all over again, whilst helping to create more special memories in more children’s lives.’’
Throughout their week, the children and team of volunteers and staff, take part in a wide range of festivities including visiting Father Christmas, attending a carol concert, giving and receiving presents, a trip to the pantomime and enjoying a turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
Head of fundraising and communications at CHICKS, Tim Bunting, said: ‘‘It’s heart-breaking to think that 1 in 3 children will be spending this Christmas in poverty and 700,000 will be spending it caring for a sick or disabled relative.
‘‘With the help of wonderful volunteers like Alice, CHICKS hopes to change that for a group of very deserving children.
‘‘I can’t thank Alice enough for giving up her time, and Christmas with her own family, to make this a special and unforgettable Christmas for these children.
‘‘With her help, we hope to give them a brighter Christmas they’ll remember for years to come.’’
