Cricketer Bond Shows His Heart of Gold

Cricketer Shane Bond took time out before leaving for India with the New Zealand A team to meet his new Variety Gold Heart Scholarship mentee, 13 year old Breandan Malone.

Malone, who is also from Christchurch, faces daily challenges dealing with Autism, Dyspraxia, and Irlens Syndrome - he is one of talented 22 Kiwi kids who are recipients of the Variety Gold Heart Scholarship which provides them with $5000 annually and matches them with a mentor to help them reach their dreams in music, sport, art or education.

'With his Autism he was always hyperactive, driven by anxiety and prone to very violent outbursts,' says Breandan's Mum Megan. 'He started skating three years ago and from that first moment he just glided off like he was born on skates - two weeks later he started lessons. Figure skating has given him confidence and self esteem, and his concentration, motor skills and muscle tone have noticeably improved.'

"We are thrilled that Breandan was selected for the third year of a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship and amazed at the effort that his mentor Shane Bond has already made - he has visited him twice and is genuinely interested in Breandan's dreams and progress," said Megan.

"He couldn't have come at a more better time. Breandan is a bit stuck at the moment and having Shane to talk to him and help keep him motivated is just fantastic."

Breandan currently competes in both mainstream and Special Olympics skating and is still the highest ranked Special Olympic skater in New Zealand - in 2008, he won the mainstream category in the artistic category.

He was also fortunate enough to spend time last year with world champion and master coach, Anita Harshom.

Breandan's Variety Gold Heart Scholarship will help pay for the ice time and coaching Breandan needs to reach his dream - to compete in the World Winter Special Olympics and to achieve the highest possible standard in mainstream figure skating.

'Breandan is one of four original Variety scholarship recipients to be selected for his third year - it has been a pleasure watching his progress," said Lorraine Taylor, CEO of Variety - The Children's Charity, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

www.variety.org.nz

Known until 1999 as the Variety Club, Variety - The Children's Charity is dedicated to helping sick, disadvantaged and disabled children around the world. Through a range of 'Signature Programmes' and financial grants Variety encourages all children to live fulfilled and enriched lives - to strive to reach their full potential.

Variety is registered as a not-for-profit which raises all its revenue through public donations and fundraising events.