Christmas Eve television debut for rising star flautist

Fifteen-year-old flautist and Variety Gold Heart Scholarship recipient Aine Kelly-Costello will make her on-screen performance debut as part of the New Zealand Variety Show, screening on Christmas Eve.

As well as watching Aine’s stellar performance, New Zealanders will be entertained by local and international stars on Friday, 24 December at 9pm on TV ONE.

Aine has been blind since birth, and excels at playing the flute and piano as well as swimming. She has been awarded a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship by Variety – The Children’s Charity for two years running to help her fulfil her dreams. It was through Aine’s relationship with Variety, that she was given the opportunity to perform at the New Zealand Variety Show.

During the show, Kiwis can get into the Christmas spirit by donating to the two recipient charities, Variety and the Glenn Family Foundation by calling 0900 56789, visiting www.varietyshow.co.nz or texting ‘kids’ to 2447. Variety helps sick, disabled and disadvantaged kids in New Zealand to reach their full potential and the Glenn Family Foundation supports many charitable projects in both New Zealand and overseas.

The New Zealand Variety Show includes performances by international artists including Bonnie Tyler, Leo Sayer, John Paul Young (Love is in the Air), and Jay Weston, and local performers including Frankie Stevens, The Ladykillers, Shane Cortese, Tina Cross, Che Fu, Candy Lane and her Dancers, stars from Dancing with the Stars, Tim Beveridge, Elizabeth Marvelly, the All New Howard Morrison Trio, Jessie Gurunathan, 4DG Gray Bartlett, Mark Dennison, a 20 piece orchestra and a host of TVNZ personalities.

“Christmas is traditionally a time for giving and the screening of the New Zealand Variety Show is another opportunity for generous New Zealanders to show they care by donating to help kids this Christmas,” says Lorraine Taylor, CEO, Variety – The Children’s Charity.