Variety NZ Wins Top International Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 April 2005

Variety NZ Wins Top International Award

The New Zealand branch of Variety-The Children’s Charity has received the organisation’s top award for achievement at its international convention in Canada last week.

The Variety International William R. Forman Heart Awards are presented at the Annual Variety Convention in recognition of the extraordinary efforts of its branches worldwide to contribute to the children of their respective communities.

The Gold, Silver and Bronze Heart Awards represent the best of Variety globally for the year. Each of the 59 branches is considered. The criteria for the awards is not only the amount of money raised in a year, but the spirit of the branch, the impact on the children in its community, the efficiency of its operation, and participation of the public in Variety’s significant events.

Variety New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Elisa Willman said that Variety NZ has received a Heart Award before in 1996. She said that this time round the judges recognised the reach that Variety has throughout the country and the positive impact the organisation has made in the past year.

“Our grants programme includes our Sunshine Coach programme, which has distributed over 80 coaches to communities around New Zealand to date. The Variety ‘Kids on the Move’ mobility programme, and Variety Mobile Ear Clinics are also well established.

“We have a number of well known high profile events such as the annual Variety Bash and the Variety Academy Awards Long Lunch that are widely anticipated each year,” said Willman. “The success of these fundraising events has enabled us to make a real difference in the lives of New Zealand children.”

This year Variety NZ also received the International Corporate Support Award, won by Caltex NZ and the International Media Award in the Radio Category, won by Solid Gold.

“We are thrilled that Caltex and Solid Gold have won these awards. They are wonderful partners and the awards are testament to their long term support of Variety,” said Willman.

Variety makes grants to individuals and organisations that work with disadvantaged children up to 18 years of age. Grants are allocated as a means of making a tangible difference to children and are not provided to fund research or operational costs. Variety’s mission is to provide life-enriching assistance to children challenged by physical and mental disabilities, socio-economic background and geographic isolation.

ENDS

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