Variety Raises $117,600 for Christchurch Children

For immediate release
17th March 2011

Variety Raises $117,600 for Christchurch Children
Kiwis give generously to Variety Bash, 'Give an Hour' earthquake appeal and TradeMe auction

Variety - The Children's Charity has raised a phenomenal $117,600 to date for children affected by the earthquake in Christchurch. The money has been generously donated by people in New Zealand and around the world to the Variety Bash, 'Give an Hour' earthquake appeal, charity TradeMe auction and other events.

The Variety Bash, a convoy of over 25 quirky old cars, fire engines and other vehicles, travelled from the Bay of Plenty to the Bay of Islands from March 5-12 handing out 25 grants worth more than $125,000 to help Kiwi kids in the schools and communities it visited. The 21st annual Variety Bash raised $240,000 for sick, disabled and disadvantaged Kiwi kids.

Of that amount, the $59,000 collected during the Bash and the following week through bucket shaking, raffles, a TradeMe auction and proceeds from the Cadbury Dairy Milk Bobby McFerrin concert, will go to help children in Christchurch.

In addition to Variety Bash fundraising, Variety has also run a 'Give an Hour' appeal, asking people to donate at least an hour of their salary to help children suffering in the Christchurch earthquake. Donations of more than $58,600 and messages of kindness and support have flooded in from around the world, to bring the total raised for children in Christchurch to $117,600. Donations can still be made online at www.varietynz.org.nz/christchurchearthquake or by calling Variety on 0800 454 371.

"People around New Zealand have been so generous in helping the people of Christchurch affected by the recent earthquake, by putting donations into the Variety Bash collection buckets, buying raffle tickets, bidding on the auction items and donating online," says Lorraine Taylor, CEO, Variety - The Children's Charity.

This year the Variety Bash travelled from Te Puke to Paihia via Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, Katikati, Hamilton, Auckland, Orewa, Mangawhai, Whangarei, Tutukaka, Dargaville, Omapere, Rawene, Kaitaia, Cape Reinga, Mangonui and Whangaroa.

Celebrities who joined in the fun included Variety Ambassadors Mark Wright, Liane Clark, Ewen Gilmour and Constable Bryan and Bobby from the TV3 programme Bryan and Bobby, Go Girls actress Bronwyn Turei, Jared Turner from The Almighty Johnsons, Megan Alatini, Meryl Cassie and mum Barbara, Phillip Leishman, All Whites Ivan Vicelich and David Mulligan and Auckland City Football Club players Manel Exposito and Angel Berlanga from Spain and Ronald McDonald.

“Helping Kiwi kids with grants during the Variety Bash would not be possible without the support of our dedicated Bash sponsors Trillian Trust, Solid Gold FM, Ford New Zealand McDonald’s New Zealand, NZ Post, and the support of the AA," says Ms Taylor.

"The Variety Bash was warmly greeted in every community we visited and we were particularly touched by school children raising money in whatever way they can to help other children with needs greater than their own.

"Variety has already given out the first grant to a Christchurch mum of two who has fled the city, providing money for a high chair, nappies and toys for the children while she gets back on her feet," says Ms Taylor. "As we work with local organisations to determine the short and long term needs of families and children in Christchurch, we anticipate that we'll be able to help many more families to get through this extremely difficult time."

To find out more about how you can get involved in the 2011 Variety Mini Bash (2-4 September) go to www.varietyorg.nz.

Every day all sorts of New Zealanders get the Variety feel-good factor, helping all sorts of Kiwi kids who are sick, disabled and disadvantaged. Since 1989 Variety has gifted over $12 million in grants – from insulin pumps to all-abilities playgrounds to scholarships for talented Kiwi kids. Through these grants, Variety meets a wide-range of grass-roots needs, not met by the New Zealand Government or other organisations.

ENDS

About Variety

Variety – The Children's Charity is dedicated to helping sick, disadvantaged and disabled children in New Zealand. 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.

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