Variety Gets Auckland Kids on the Move
Friday 4 September 2009, 7:02AM
By Variety - The Children's Charity
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Two special Kiwi kids will have an extra reason to smile when they receive specialised trikes as part of the Variety Mini Bash launch at Greenlane McDonald’s on Friday 11th September.
Byron Hill, 7, of Howick and Alec Wilson, 11, of Pukekohe will receive trikes that will make a significant difference to their social and physical development, according to CEO of Variety – The Children’s Charity, Lorraine Taylor.
“For the first time ever, they will experience the independence of joining their family for a bike ride and be able to participate in more activities at school,” said Taylor who cited these grants as an example of Variety’s mission to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged Kiwi kids to reach their full potential.
Adding to their smiles will be the celebrities, 20 quirky cars and fire engines, and giveaways that form part of the iconic Variety Mini Bash, which this year will travel from Auckland to Cambridge raising and distributing fun and funds for Kiwi kids.
“Variety often plugs the gaps that other organisations can’t or won’t fill – we are delighted to partner with a like-minded organisation in the Halberg Trust for the funding of Alec Wilson’s trike,“ said Taylor.
“Funding part of the cost of specialised trikes is part of our signature programme, Kids on the Move, which aims to provide life-enriching assistance to children with mobility issues – a specialised trike provides important physical development and allows the kids to be involved in family, school and community activities.
Another grant recipient is Diam Gondal, a deaf and blind boy who is almost seven – he will receive a grant for funding for part of a heating pump. The family currently has an open fire place which is dangerous for Diam as he communicates by touching and is particularly attracted to the light, sound and vibration of heaters and fire.
A shorter but equally exciting version of Variety’s signature event, the Variety Bash, the Variety Mini Bash will take its special brand of fun to schools in South Auckland during Friday 11th September.
Another unique component of this year’s Mini Bash is planting projects sponsored by Ford New Zealand in which Ford staff will muck in to plant different types of gardens at three South Auckland schools.
On Saturday 12th September, Aucklanders can expect to see Bash vehicles travelling around the city as they participate in Variety’s version of the Amazing Race.
“Kids of all ages are invited to experience the fun of the Variety Mini Bash at Auckland Domain on Saturday 12th September between 11.00am and 12.00 noon.
The Mini Bash will then travel to Cambridge where the Bashers will turn their hands to a community project at the Cambridge Junior Rugby and Sports Club on Sunday 13th September.
For more information on the 2009 Variety Mini Bash (11th-13th September) or the 20th anniversary Variety Bash from 6th – 14th March 2010 travelling from Christchurch to Auckland, please go to www.variety.org.nz
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Notes to Editors
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.
Since its inception in New Zealand in 1989, Variety – The Children’s Charity has distributed over $11.4 million to Kiwi kids who are sick, disabled and disadvantaged.
Grant recipient Byron Hill is 7 and from Howick – he has global developmental delay with hypotonia (low muscle tone) from an unknown cause. He only began walking when he was 5 and still tires easily. Byron has reduced core stability, difficulty with functional motor skills, reduced muscle strength and endurance and requires support for most tasks.
Alec Wilson (11) is from Pukekohe and lives on a 4 acre section with his family. He has developmental delay with Dyspraxia. He has speech problems, low muscle tone and lacks fine motor skills. He can’t ride without trainer wheels and the wheels get stuck in the paddocks, so a trike will give him more stability.