Serious support from comedian

Jennifer Saunders wanted to support a local charity

Actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders has thrown her weight behind a charity which offers much-needed breaks to disadvantaged children from inner cities.

Jennifer, who lives in Chagford on Dartmoor, is a patron of Country Holidays for Inner City Kids (CHICKS), which provides free respite breaks at countryside retreats in Devon and Cornwall.

Speaking on the Judi Spiers programme on BBC Radio Devon, the star of Absolutely Fabulous and Jam and Jerusalem said she wanted to do something to support a local charity.

"I got involved because it's local and because of one of the fundraisers I know from Chagford," Jennifer told Judi.

"I just wanted to support a charity which I could feel involved with.

"CHICKS gives six days of free respite - it's a fantastic charity. These are children who are terribly disadvantaged. They're from below the poverty line, or have been abused or neglected, and they're kids who have never had a break."

The charity also provides respite breaks for young carers who look after other family members.

Currently, CHICKS helps 800 children each year, but wants to increase that number to 1,200.

"These holidays are so important," said Jennifer. "The kids build confidence and do things they never usually do. And there is follow-up as well - they make friends.

CHICKS kids are taken to surfing classes

"I've been to the centre (at Brentor) and met some of the kids, who are as young as eight.

"There is a 2:1 ratio (of kids to adults) so they get a lot of interaction and attention and they learn to trust adults which again is so important.

"Some of the kids have never had their photographs taken, so they have no memories and something to hold on to."

You can listen to the full 17-minute interview by clicking onto the audio link above. In the chat, Jennifer also talks about working with Dawn French, her hopes for another series of Jam and Jerusalem, and how her Mamma Mia sketch won approval from none other than Meryl Streep herself!

Jennifer is attending the charity's Winter Ball at Plymouth's Holiday Inn on Saturday, 21 November at 7.30pm. Tickets are £39.50 per person, or £350 for a table of 10, to include a three course meal and an evening's entertainment. Telephone [phone] for more information.

Chicks website