20/20 Vision for Variety Mini Bash

Ford staff mucked in at a planting project at Homai School.

The annual Variety Mini Bash, which travelled from Auckland to Cambridge early in September, raised almost $20,000 while distributing grants worth over $20,000 to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout NZ.

“Variety’s mission is to help Kiwi kids to reach their full potential by distributing grants for items as varied as specialised trikes, computers, large print books and insulin pumps – we plug the gaps that other organisations can’t or won’t fill,” said Lorraine Taylor, CEO of Variety – The Children’s Charity.

Twenty quirky cars and fire engines started the Mini Bash at Greenlane McDonalds which was MC’d by Jayne Kiely and waved off by local MP Sam Lotu-liga – it then took its special brand of fun to 11 South Auckland schools where children were delighted by the appearances of local T.V. and sporting celebrities.

Bashers, as the Bash participants are known, assisted Ford NZ staff with planting projects at three South Auckland schools.

On the Saturday, Aucklanders were treated to glimpses of the quirky vehicles as they travelled around the city in a Variety-style Amazing Race taking part in a series of dares including playing with live eels at the Auckland Fish Market, a treasure hunt around Rainbow’s End, a Royal NZ Airforce-style rescue operation on Hobsonville Land’s property and busking at the Cock ‘n’ Bull in Botany.

On the Sunday Bashers enjoyed breakfast at Cambridge East Primary School before helping with a community project at the Cambridge Junior Rugby and Sports Club.

“We were delighted to be joined at the working bee by Cambridge’s MP Louise Upston, Miss World NZ first runner-up Natalie Sangster and Mr World NZ Arnold du Toit who all turned their hands to painting and sanding,” said Ms Taylor.

Variety – The Children’s Charity, has distributed over $11.4 million to sick, disabled and disadvantaged Kiwi children since its inception in NZ in 1989.

The attention of the Variety Bashers now turns to the 20th anniversary Variety Bash which will travel from Christchurch to Auckland from 6th-14th March, 2010.

Grant recipients of the 2009 Variety Mini Bash are:

• Byron Hill, of Howick, Auckland, aged seven – $1,500 for a specialised trike.

• Alec Wilson, of Pukekohe, aged 11 – $1,500 for a specialised trike.

• Diam Gondal, of New Lynn, aged 7, who is blind and deaf – $1,870 for a heat pump.

• Aunty Jo, of Mt Roskill, who runs Christmas parties for Mt Roskill kids – $500 for presents.

• Joy Ho, aged 17 – $4,500 towards the cost of a Segway.

• Parentline Charitable Trust – $750.00 for toys/art supplies.

• Michael from Te Kuiti – $2,500 for an Apple Mac computer.

• George from Havelock North – $400 for large print books.

• Scott from Hokitika – $937 for a specialised trike.

• Samantha from Waitara – $1,500 for a specialised trike.

• Max from Wanganui – $1,500 for a specialised trike.

• Chelsea-Rose and Bradley, twins from Christchurch – $2,000 for Scout Jamboree registration.

• Katyln and Kodi – $500 for a children’s bike trailer.