Variety-the Children's Charity is a national not-for-profit
organisation committed to empowering Australian children
who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs to
gain mobility, independence and self-esteem.
By giving practical equipment, programs and experiences,
Variety helps children in need to overcome whatever
obstacles they face and live life to the fullest.
Simply put, we HELP
KIDS BE KIDS.
MORGAN
THE KNIGHT
Equipment Granted:
Vehicle modification
for wheelchair
Age: 9
"The hoist Variety gave me is good because it means my
parents don't have to lift me which hurts them and me.
It makes me feel like I am on a mini rocket and I love
swinging on it."
OUR MISSION
Variety - the Children's Charity believes in real
opportunities and outcomes for all Australian children
who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs,
empowering them to live, laugh and learn.
OUR VISION
For all Australian children to attain their full potential
regardless of ability or background.
38th
In 2013 Variety – the Children’s Charity celebrates 38 years of granting
vital, practical equipment, programs and experiences, delivering tangible
and positive social outcomes to the lives of Australian children who are
sick, disadvantaged or have special needs, and their families.
Today, Variety – the Children’s Charity delivers more than $1.2 million
every MONTH in individual and organisational equipment grants across
the country.
RHYS
Equipment Granted:
Myoelectric prosthesis
Ava has limited expressive language - she has said
'please' which is her saying FUN and she loves her bike!
AVA THE ADVENTURER
Equipment Granted: Specialised bicycle
Age: 6
Variety's Core Programs:
Variety Freedom
Program
Variety Future
Kids Program
Variety Caring for
Kids Program
The gift of INDEPENDENCE
and SELF ESTEEM
- assisting with mobility and
communication through Liberty
Swings, wheelchairs, Sunshine
coaches, vehicle modifications,
communication aids, human
hair wigs, communication aids,
walk and stand equipment
and more.
The gift of EDUCATION
and ACHIEVEMENT
- helping kids with disabilities
or disadvantage fulfil their
academic, sports or arts
potential by supporting schools
with special equipment, tuition
and other practical support.
The gift of SUPPORT
- to children's intensive care
units, children's emergency
transport services and
children's remote diagnosis
and treatment services.
This also includes Variety’s
Vision for Life.
$3,738,194.00
spent on NSW/ACT grants overall in 2013
$252,412.00
Caring for Kids
Program
$313,639.00
Future Kids
Program
$3,172,143.00
Freedom Program
27,739
Variety's
2013
Statistics
234
The number of grants
given to individuals
and organisations
in 2013
The number of children in NSW/ACT
directly impacted by Variety in 2013
TOP 10 MOST
PREVALENT
CONDITIONS
VARIETY ASSISTED
TOP 10
APPEALS
GRANTED
1. Cerebral Palsy
1. Wheelchair Vehicle Modification
2. Intellectual Disability
2. Wig
3. Epilepsy/Seizure Disorder
3. Standing Frame
4. Muscular Dystrophy
4. Sunshine Coach
5. Visual Impairment
5. Nutritional Supplements (Feeds)
6. Alopecia
6. Manual Wheelchair
7. Autism
7. Scholarship
8. Cystic Fibrosis
8. Playground Equipment
9. Angelman Syndrome
9. Modified Bike
10. Down Syndrome
10. Walking frame
133 1 to 9
The number of conditions
Variety currently supports
GEOGRAPHICAL
SPREAD OF GRANTS
Each child Variety supports
has between one and nine
different conditions.
12%
Southern NSW & ACT*
*area extends from
Wollongong to Albury
and includes the ACT
26%
Hunter / Northern NSW
115
Different types of equipment
were granted in 2013
1%
Murrumbidgee 7%
Western NSW
2%
Other States*
*represents the grants
through our Princess
Charlotte Alopecia Program
which are on a national basis.
52%
Metropolitan NSW*
*area extends to Sutherland
Shire, Blue Mountains and
the Central Coast
FRANCESCA THE PRINCESS
Equipment Granted: Hi-lo chair and walking frame
Age: 7
"My walker helps me walk like my school
friends and dance like Angelina Ballerina!"
"The equipment has allowed Fraser
to play like any other kid which is
how children learn."
Fraser's dad
"Not only is [the wheelchair] custom made
to suit her physical needs as well as her
style; much to Courtney's delight it is bright
purple with hot pink wheels!"
Courtney’s mum
"When she first received the suit
it was instrumental in helping her
to crawl and eventually take
her first steps."
Ayisha’s mum
"Adam is such a happy boy now.
A very sociable young lad, he loves
music, reading and his Tuesday
swimming lessons."
Adam's mum
"I just love my new car and wheelchair hoist.
My mum also loves it as I'm growing into
a BIG girl now and getting really heavy"
ANGELINA THE COWGIRL
Equipment Granted:
Vehicle modification for wheelchair
Age: 8
5,000 children
Funding
Highlights
experienced the Variety Kids
Christmas Party
16 wheelchairs
51 x
51 family cars transformed to give wheelchair access
26 standers,
walkers and
customised
strollers to help
kids get mobile
22 regional schools visited
along the NSW & Newcastle
Bash routes with over
$100,000 in grants made
14 x
14 Sunshine Coaches granted allowing hundreds of school
children to get out and about, learn and have fun!
22 Freedom Wigs for girls...
2 Liberty Swings installed
in special needs schools
...and boys with alopecia
9 hoists and positioning systems
11 scholarships granted through our Future Kids Program
BASH
The Variety Bash...
YA GOTTA DO IT! And this
year over 300 people from
around NSW - and a few
Kiwis - did just that, the
NSW Variety Dick Smith
Bankstown to Ballarat Bash!
Starting on the 22nd August the Bashers set out with 90 plus Bash cars
and 23 Official Vehicles for the 4,345 kilometre Bash to Ballarat. There
were Mermaids, Frogettes, Bananas in Pyjamas, Gladiators dressed as
Spartans and Trojans, there were countless Super Heroes and some
just plain old Joes who were along for the same experience and reason,
raising money for special needs children.
Along the rough, dusty, sandy and muddy roads/tracks they travelled
on, 13 regional schools were visited where the Bashers donated over
$67,000 worth of specialised playground equipment, books, catering
equipment and much more.
Highlights of the 2013 NSW Variety Dick Smith Bash included the
Country Music Channel (CMC) from Foxtel, joining us and bringing some
amazing talent including Morgan Evans and Buddy Goode. The Nurofen
team joined us for the first time, donating $70,000 for the kids, which
was linked to daily videos they produced - allowing Bashers’ friends and
family to follow our Bash journey.
The Outright Winners, which is an award voted for by the Bashers for
a team that “epitomizes the spirit of the Bash”, went to car B1B2, the
Bananas in Pyjamas!
2014 is the 30th Anniversary Bash, with Bashes from all states converging
on Sydney for a national celebration on 17th August. Variety NSW looks
forward to welcoming all Bashers to mark this historic milestone.
The 2013 NSW Variety Dick Smith Bash raised more than $1.85 MILLION
NET and the NSW Newcastle Bash raised $732,000 NET which will
help Variety assist thousands of sick, disadvantaged and special needs
children.
Our “Boutique” Variety 4WD Adventure continues to travel the fire trails,
beach runs and creek crossings of the East Coast providing a wonderful
opportunity for inexperienced “off-roaders” to test their cars in safe and
controlled conditions. The 2014 Caves to Waves Adventure will start at
Jenolan Caves on 23rd March.
VARIETY
CYCLE
The Variety Cycle was
launched with a gala
fundraising dinner at
Doltone House, Pyrmont
on September 26th.
A sold out room of 530, dressed in their finest, helped ensure a fun
filled evening of entertainment and celebration which importantly
raised $200,000!
Our host for the evening was Larry Emdur, who did an incredible
job keeping the wheels turning, interviewing guests like Matthew
Cowdrey OAM, Australia’s most successful Paralympian. For most
the highlight of the night was the key note speech from Turia Pitt,
the incredibly inspiring burns victim who spoke about her ordeal,
recovery and her goal to join us on The Variety Cycle next year.
The Variety Cycle Gala Dinner really was a fundraiser like no other
with a range of revolutionary activities not normally associated with
a black tie event – like the Cycling Challenge which saw formally
attired guests jumping on stationary bikes, all to raise money for
kids. There was also a great performance by Darren Percival of
‘The Voice’.
The inaugural Variety Cycle will set off from Pyrmont on March 22nd
2014. This extraordinary event will cover almost 4,000km over 26
days from Sydney, to Canberra, Melbourne and Adelaide before
finally arriving in Uluru! Whether you’re a hard core cyclist or a
weekend warrior, there is a range of fully catered cycling options
that will suit your skill and time availability. You can choose from a
One Day Cycle, Two Day Cycle (approximately 300km – 450km),
City to City Cycle (over 1000km in approximately a week) – or go
the distance and join us for the full 26 days! On ‘yer bike!
www.varietycycle.com.au
SANTA
FUN RUN
In the events 5th year the
Variety Santa Fun Run is
quickly becoming an iconic
event, not only in Sydney but
all over Australia.
This year will be extra-ordinary as Santa’s in every capital city
in Australia will be running, walking, skipping and dancing their
respective routes on the same date, December 1st, for the
first time ever!
Sydney Santas will have a new and exciting route this year with
the fun run beginning at Darling Harbour Palm Grove, winding 5
kilometres through the city and ending in spectacular fashion with
the mass of Santas converging on the steps of Sydney Opera
House. Along the way participants will enjoy cheery Christmas
themed entertainment including a Nova water zone, winter
wonderland, carollers, stilt walkers and Santa photos – there’s even
a chance that they might get snapped with our Santa Ambassador,
actor George Houvardas.
In 2013 Variety is hoping to raise $100,000 across our Santa Fun
Runs in Sydney, Canberra and Newcastle, which will help Variety to
assist hundreds more Aussie kids in need in 2014.
2012 was Variety’s most successful year to date for the Santa Fun
Run, both in funds raised and the number of participants that took
part. This year we are aiming to exceed this with an estimated 4,000
Santa’s taking part in Sydney and 15,000 across the country.
C’mon be a Claus for a Cause. www.varietysantafunrun.com.au
VARIETY
OF CHEFS
In the events 5 year on
30th June 2013 at the Hilton
Hotel we experienced another
ultimate gastronomic night,
and this time with a
new twist...
th
This year’s Variety of Chefs had a focus on raising funds for our
Princess Charlotte Alopecia Program – supplying wigs to children
who have lost their hair due to the condition. Celebrity hairdresser
Joh Bailey was a guest at the event and kindly helped to cut the
locks of three guest’s hair who wanted to donate it, helping to make
more human hair wigs for children with alopecia.
The 400 guests were exceedingly generous in helping raise
$150,000 NET which will assist more than 40 children with alopecia.
As guests opened their wallets and dug deep for Variety, the
seven celebrity chefs wowed their taste buds with a gastronomic
seven course degustation feast from around the world. Japan was
brought to the table by Ben Orpwood from Toko with a venison
carpaccio, while George Diamond from the Keystone Group
created a Greek-inspired seared scallop with cod roe taramosalata
and sauce vierge. The third course was by Matt Kemp from Gazebo
Wine Garden with a watercress soup, along with smoked eel, bacon
and prawn. France was represented by Adam Humphrey from Arras
and his poached salmon dish, James Viles from Biota delighted
with Thirlmere duck and Sommer Sivrioglu from Efendy served up a
pulled lamb shoulder. The dessert of pistachio torte was courtesy of
Kylie Millar from Burch & Purchese, and with all meals matched by
seven superb wines; it was definitely a night to savour.
Variety of Chefs will be back on Saturday 26th July 2014 at the
Hilton Hotel Sydney.
CEO's Message
With incredible support from a diverse group of donors, corporate
partners and volunteers, Variety – the Children’s Charity has a
long and vibrant history in NSW and the ACT, vastly improving the
futures of literally thousands of children during the last 38 years.
David Small
CEO – Variety – the Children’s
Charity NSW/ACT
The synonym for Variety is diversity and it is this diversity that
sets Variety apart. Unlike many organisations, Variety helps a
diverse range of children who are sick, disadvantaged or who live
with special needs. In 2013, thanks to our generous donors and
partners, Variety assisted children living with one or more of
133 different conditions, granting more than 115 different types
of equipment worth more than $3.73 million, up from $3.17 million
in 2012.
Whilst we grant physical equipment, what Variety really grants is
independence, self-esteem, mobility, communication, survival,
achievement, well-being and the chance for each child to reach
their full potential.
2013 marked the third year of an ambitious five year plan to double
the number of children helped each year to meet the growing
demand for the grants Variety provides. Doubling the number of
children Variety assists in NSW and the ACT takes money and I’m
pleased to report Variety remains on track to reach its 5 year goal,
increasing income from $6.53 million in 2012 to $8.24 million in
2013, with an aim of $10 million by September 2015.
“Variety remains on track
to reach its 5 year goal,
increasing income from
$6.53 million in 2012
to $8.24 million
in 2013, with an aim
of $10 million by
September 2015.”
To better meet the needs of the children, this year, after 24
years in Rozelle, Variety moved to new premises in Artarmon
and strengthened our grant professionalism and processes.
It is critically important donors and partners funds are used
transparently and wisely, ensuring a tangible difference to children
and our community.
Variety generates the funds to help children from a diverse range of
events, corporate partnerships and individual donors. Each of these
areas has grown well in 2013 and on behalf of the children helped
through your generosity, thank you.
Seeing the positive social impact and joy Variety grants provides me
the motivation to make sure we help more children. I am honoured
to have been offered the opportunity to contribute to Variety and
it’s work internationally and in 2014 will take up the position of
Executive Director at Variety International. My thanks to every
person, donor, corporate partner and volunteer involved in Variety
NSW/ACT – you are what make’s Variety the solution to so many
children and their families who are in need.
Success is achieved by a team – the Variety NSW/ACT Team and
Board are second to none in their dedication and can do attitude,
something reflected in the 2013 results but more importantly in the
smiles, happiness and increased ability of many children this year.
In closing, I welcome Tam Johnston as the 2014 CEO of Variety
NSW/ACT. Tam has the skills, expertise and empathy to ensure
Variety continues to help many more generations of
Australian children.
Again, on behalf of the kids, thank you.
Chairman's Closing Words
I am very pleased to present the 2013 Annual Report for NSW/ACT
to our members, benefactors, sponsors, donors, volunteers and
friends and I thank you for your continued generosity and support,
you are the life blood of our organisation.
Peter Hebbes AM
Chairman, Variety –
the Children’s Charity NSW/ACT
Variety Australia – Director
Although it is with a certain amount of sadness that I reach the
end of my term as Chairman, nothing makes me prouder than the
successes of Variety NSW in the past two years and also the result
of that hard work and support, as I have personally seen the positive
impact of this on the lives of many children.
At the start of my term as Variety NSW/ACT Chairman in 2011
we had a plan to improve our communication and engagement
with the Australian public, diversify our income and to continue to
grow our current events. All with the aim to double the amount of
support we were granting kids in need across NSW and the ACT.
I am pleased to report we delivered on our plan and financially
made some great achievements too. In 2013 we saw a 27% rise in
operating income, which is up from 8% in the previous year. This
saw Variety spend $3.78M in grants, an 18% increase from 2012.
This is an exceptional result under the best of circumstances, but
given the difficult economic conditions in recent years, it has been
particularly pleasing to see us grow year on year. Importantly this
growth has been matched by increased productivity, fundraising and
the breadth of grants we have been able to achieve, in addition to
the public profile and awareness Variety is currently enjoying. I am
also very pleased with the results from our Newcastle office and their
level of activity with an expanded committee, this has been great to
see and their plans for 2014 are very exciting.
“Nothing makes me
prouder than the successes
of Variety NSW/ACT in
the past two years and
also the result of that hard
work and support”
One of our major achievements this year has been the move into
our new offices in Artarmon. After 24 years in the old Balmain Police
Station it was time to move out and we were lucky enough to find
our new building which was a old film studio, recently renovated
with ample office space, meeting rooms plus much needed storage.
The result has been a fantastic success with our staff having a
good working environment, great meeting facilities and professional
looking offices. I would like to thank the many volunteers who
helped out with the move, not to mention the many tradesmen/
bashers who donated their time and expertise in fixing things up!
As Variety NSW prepares to welcome a new Chairman, I would like
to thank past and present Board Members for their time, support
and confidence in me, I believe that we have had one of the most
cohesive and hardworking Boards for some years. I would also
like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts of our CEO
David Small and his fantastic staff who have guided and supported
the organisation through its continued growth over the past twelve
months in particular. The hard work and dedication as a team has
proved to be a winning formula and I acknowledge that fact, that
they are devoted to Variety which is proved by the hours they put
into their individual jobs and are never hesitant when “all hands on
deck” are needed.
On behalf of all the Variety children and their families who rely on
Variety’s support – thank you!
NSW Board of Directors & Committees
NSW Board of Directors
Newcastle Committee
Peter Hebbes AM
(Chairman)
Allison Sellers
(Chairperson)
Paul Mullaly
(Deputy Chairman)
Mal Read
(Deputy Chair)
Gordon Cooper AM
(Financial Director)
John Waterhouse
(Treasurer)
Susan Bannigan, Geoff Davis, John Dennis,
Henry Eggers, Ian Grambower, Mahesh
Hettiaratchi, Brian Hoare, DR. Greg Levenston,
Amanda Mead, Duncan Ross, Bernt Schindler
& Susan Warda.
Colin Hindle, Bill McGuigan, Kevin Leahy OAM,
Dean O’Brien, Super Hubert, John-Paul Young OAM,
Jamie Price, Brendan Stanford, Mick Starkey &
Jenny Brine.
Shoalhaven Committee
LOV Committee
Brian Muller
(Chairman)
Margaret White
(President)
Noel Kennedy
(Deputy Chairman)
Elizabeth Higlett
(Vice President)
Rhonda Grant
(Secretary)
Barb Brown
(Secretary)
Kevin Carter
(Treasurer)
Bev Pennington
(Assistant Secretary)
Variety would like to recognise the Ladies of Variety
(LOV) Committee for their tireless work in bringing
joy to thousands of children throughout the year,
with the wonderful events they organise. We would
particularly like to recognise their work in putting
on the Variety Kids Christmas Party. Each year this
allows 5,000 children of all abilities and backgrounds,
the chance to join in, have fun and enjoy Christmas an opportunity they otherwise might not have.
JOEL
Equipment Granted:
Theratogs suit
Gloria Jean's Coffees
Major Corporate Partner Highlight
Variety – the Children’s Charity is proud to have partnered with
Gloria Jean’s Coffees for the last three years, during which time over
$485,000* has been raised to assist hundreds of Australian children
who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs.
(*as at 13 Nov 2013.)
In 2013 Gloria Jean’s Coffees raised funds to go towards Variety’s
Scholarship Program, helping children with special needs or who
suffer from disadvantage, the chance to realise their dreams in the
areas of sport, the arts and academia.
Gloria Jean’s Coffees dedicated the month of October to Variety
with their major charity fundraiser, Cappuccino for a Cause.
Donation boxes in coffee houses nationally raised funds for Variety,
with a percentage of profits also donated through the sale of
specially designed Travel Cups, Heart Cookies and Chocolate
Hearts. The fundraising culminated in a two day Cappuccino for
a Cause family event on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th October
where 50 cents from every cappuccino and iced cappuccino sold
went to Variety. As at 13 November 2013, Gloria Jean’s Coffees has
raised $150,000 for Variety through Cappuccino for A Cause 2013,
with more funds expected to be added to this amount.
Variety is extremely grateful for the generosity of Gloria Jean’s
Coffees, their team and customers for their continued
generous support.
“We are extremely proud to
support Variety – the Children’s
Charity as they seek to make
a difference for children with
special needs. Together with the
partnership of our guests, team
members and Franchise Partners
in coffee houses across Australia,
we look forward to continue
building and changing lives
in the years to come.”
Founder of With Heart,
a Gloria Jean’s Coffees foundation,
Angela Saleh
Woolworths
Major Corporate Partner Highlight
Variety – the Children’s Charity is thrilled to have on board for the first time,
major corporate supporter, Woolworths Supermarkets!
A year long campaign with Woolies kicked off with a weekend of staff led
fundraising activities in all theirs stores in NSW and ACT on the 26th and 27th
July. Stores held a range of fundraising activities including BBQ’s, face painting,
raffles, bash cars on display and much more – it was the most successful
fundraising weekend Woolworths has ever had, raising over $150,000 in just
one weekend!
Woolworths have raised $560,000 thus far which will be used to provide
disadvantaged kids across NSW and ACT with specialised equipment tailored
to their needs, which could include modified trikes and walkers or even
specialised technology to aid communication. The funds will also enable many
more special needs children to attend the Variety Kids Christmas Party – an
opportunity for them to enjoy the spirit of the festive season.
Woolworths also held a Have a Heart Ball in support of Variety on the 2nd
November. Hosted by Todd McKenny and Karen Ledbury, over 900 people
enjoyed an incredible night where $160,000 was raised.
Throughout the next 12 months Variety will also be selling special merchandise
in stores across NSW and ACT, a pen ($5), light up bouncy ball ($3) and a
mini teddy bear ($7). Customers can also contribute at donation boxes at all
counters and for a limited time buy a Variety hat and heart token.
The faces of the campaign in Woolworths’ stores, helping us spread the Variety
message are two children Variety has assisted. Fourteen year old Matthew
from Bonnyrigg in Western Sydney (pictured), and Siobhan, 13, from Cooks Hill
in Newcastle.
Thanks to the hard work, enormous energy and passion of the Woolies store
staff and generous customers, we’re on track to help thousands more Aussie
kids in need.
“Fundraising and supporting
the community has been
integral to the Woolworths
business, and we have
received positive feedback
from customers about the
initiatives run through
our stores. Thanks to the
generosity of our staff and
customers, we were delighted
to be able to grant our first of
many pieces of equipment for
Variety; a Liberty Swing for a
local school in Balmain. We
look forward to supporting
Variety and raising even
more funds in 2014.”
NSW/ACT State Operations
Manager, John Eales
Sydney Airport
Major Corporate Partner Highlight
Variety – the Children’s Charity is excited to announce a brand new
partnership with Sydney Airport for their 2013 Christmas
Giving Campaign.
From 9th November – 25th December the airport community, including
the many thousands of passengers and friends who pass through every
day, as well as the 28,000 people who work across 800 businesses,
can support this initiative through the donation collection points across
the T1 International and T2 Domestic terminals. Travellers can also get
involved by striking a pose with a famous Variety Bash Car for a gold
coin donation at T1, get their Christmas presents wrapped for a gold coin
donation at the gift wrapping bars across T1 and T2, leave their mark
on Sydney by purchasing a gift tag for the Variety tree or win a prize by
donating to Variety’s spinning wheel.
Among the sea of faces that feature every day at Sydney Airport, there is
one beautiful girl whose smiling face is sure to leave a lasting impression
over the coming season. Her name is Milla, a brave six-year old who has
been battling serious health problems since the day she was born. This
year, Variety child Milla is the face of Sydney Airport’s Christmas Giving
Campaign for Variety.
We hope to raise $250,000 through this partnership which will help
significantly in meeting the demand for assistance from families for
specialised pieces of equipment to help kids gain mobility, self-esteem
and independence.
“We chose Variety as our
Christmas charity partner
this year due to their
important work supporting
Australian children, as
well as their families. We’re
thrilled to be partnering
with Variety to raise much
needed funds for vulnerable
children in our community
this Christmas”
Sydney Airport Chief Executive
Officer, Kerrie Mather
Dick Smith & Navman
Major Corporate Partner Highlight
Variety is proud to have partnered with Dick Smith and Navman as
our major NSW Bash sponsors for 2013.
As part of the partnership we launched a few exciting initiatives for
the NSW Bash. Variety along with our sponsors produced a brand
new and exciting Facebook app based around the Bash. As well as
this all our Bashers received a Navman GPS unit to assist on their trip.
Dick Smith and Navman asked the general public to help choose
the design for their Bash car through the ‘Build My Bash Car’
competition. The car design with the highest votes was then
reproduced into a real car and entered in the 2013 Bash as the
Dick Smith and Navman car. The winning car design was
Go Go Gadget (pictured).
The second phase of the activation was a Bash ‘Photo of the Day’
competition – this involved our Bash entrants taking interesting
photos along their Bash journey each day via Instagram. The general
public were then able to vote for their favourite, for the chance to win
prizes from Dick Smith.
We had a fantastic take up in these activations from the Bashers and
also their friends, family, corporate supporters and the general public.
The two competitions received a reach on social media of more than
487,000 people.
Thanks to Dick Smith and Navman for their fantastic support for the
iconic event that is the Variety Bash!
“Dick Smith was fortunate this year
to partner with Navman as the NSW
Bash major sponsors for 2013.
We are proud to support Variety
on their journey, which makes a
significant impact to the lives of
Children with special needs. It is
a genuinely fulfilling experience
to be a part of the important
contributions made by Variety.”
CEO, Dick Smith - Nick Abboud
“Navman was extremely honoured to
once again support Variety helping
children who need it most. It’s a
great Australian cause and an iconic
annual event. We’ve been working
with the Bash for some years now
and this year we were particularly
proud to partner with Dick Smith,
as well as provide the cars with the
equipment needed, via Dick Smith,
to help them find their way safely
around Australia.“
Country Manager, Navman Australia
and New Zealand - Wendy Hammond
Kmart
Major Corporate Partner Highlight
Variety is delighted to have been partnered with Kmart for three years
now, during which time Kmart has raised more than $400,000 for Variety
and Aussie kids in need.
For the 2013/2014 campaign with Variety, 175 Kmart stores across the
country are hosting donation boxes at counters, where customers can
donate their spare change. Customers can also make a donation to
Variety via the electronic self-checkout systems.
Kmart’s support this year is going towards Variety’s Freedom program
– called ‘Freedom4kids’ in Kmart stores - assisting with mobility and
self-esteem through the provision of equipment, such as modified bikes,
wheelchairs, standing frames, walkers, Liberty Swings and Sunshine
Coaches. For example, Kmart’s fundraising has helped to grant a
Variety Sunshine Coach to Girrawong Preschool in NSW, which will
help transport the 45 aboriginal children aged 0-5 years (some of which
have special needs) to and from the centre on a daily basis – without
this transportation to and from their homes, many would not be able to
attend the preschool on a daily basis to learn.
The gorgeous face of the campaign is seven year old Francesca
(pictured), who at two years of age was diagnosed with cerebral
palsy which left her severely physically disabled, unable to walk, sit
independently or even hold herself up. Variety granted her a hi-lo chair
which has had huge benefits for Francesca, allowing her to participate
in age appropriate activities, mealtimes with her family and also interact
face to face with her siblings and friends.
We are extremely grateful for Kmart’s ongoing support of Aussie kids
who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. Thanks to the
dedication, energy and passion of the Kmart store teams and generous
customers, we’re on track to help thousands more Aussie kids in need
gain freedom, mobility , independence and self-esteem this year.
“Kmart’s community program
supports the disadvantaged
and those in need through
initiatives such as our in-store
coin collection program. Kmart
is delighted to support Variety’s
Freedom program through our
joint in-store ‘Freedom4Kids’
campaign, which provides
children with disabilities access
to mobility aids to enable
freedom, independence and the
chance to join in with other kids
in the community.”
GM Stores, Kmart Store
Operations, Paul Walkden.
MAJOR CORPORATE PARTNERS
A special thank you to the following Major Corporate Partners who have generously contributed over $100,000
in support of Variety with ongoing initiatives, comprising of donations, fundraising, joint marketing campaigns,
sponsorship, in-kind donations, work place giving, staff engagement and/or volunteering. Your support is vital to
Variety being able to continue our work with Aussie kids in need.
Variety International
Corporate Award Winner 2013
KEY CORPORATE PARTNERS
Thank you to our Key Corporate Partners who have generously supported Variety with ongoing initiatives, comprising
of donations, fundraising, joint marketing campaigns, sponsorship, in-kind donations, work place giving, staff
engagement and/or volunteering. Your support is vital to Variety being able to continue our work with Aussie kids
in need.
CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
Thank you to our Corporate Supporters whose assistance means a lot to Variety and the kids we help.
Your donations, staff volunteering time, in kind support and fundraising efforts are truly appreciated.
• Adelaide Brighton
• Maddocks
• Alila Hotels & Resorts
• Newcastle Family & Sports Podiatry
• Allianz
• NSW Defence Reserves Support
• Amadeus
• Oracle
• AMP
• Pickles Auctions
• Aroona
• Schweppes
• Art Gallery of NSW
• SMEG
• B & B Total Supply
• Streets Icecream
• Bimbadgen Estate
• The Rhythm Village
• Blue Illusion
• The Rotary Club of Botany Bay
• BP
• The Rotary Club of Marrickville
• Brasserie Bread
• The Rotary Club of Rockdale City
• CEB
• Top Gear Festival Sydney
• Crown Castle
• UBS
• DLA Piper
• Westend Estate
• DP World
• Westpac
• Herbert Smith Freehills
•Westrac
• Macquarie Bank – Compliance Team
PR & MEDIA PARTNERS
Variety would like to acknowledge our PR & Media Partners, who have helped spread the word on our cause and
events, raise awareness and engage the general public, which ultimately helps Variety assist more kids in need.
Variety’s PR agency and Variety
International Media Award
Winner 2013
HANNA
Equipment Granted:
Wheelchair ramp
for vehicle
Helping kids be kids
www.variety.org.au/nsw
VarietyAU
1300 4 VARIETY
VarietyAU
[email protected]
varietyaustralia