Variety seeking bright sparks for scholarships

Variety – The Children’s Charity wants to help Kiwi kids reach their lifelong dreams in education, music, art, and sport through its Gold Heart Scholarship programme.

Applications are now open for the programme which provides talented Kiwi kids who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged with $5,000 and matches them with a mentor to assist them to reach their goals.

“CMC Markets will once again generously fund six educational scholarships and we look forward to receiving applications from young Kiwis aged up to 18 who are interested in pursuing dreams in the education field, as well as in the fields of music, art and sport,” said Variety CEO Lorraine Taylor.

“Over the past three years, we have funded 50 scholarships for Kiwi kids in fields as varied as swimming, piano and psychology – regardless of the field or the adversity they have overcome, the common theme with these children is their outstanding talent and determination to reach their dreams,” continued Ms Taylor.

“One of the unique aspects of the Scholarship is that each recipient is assigned a leading professional or celebrity mentor to encourage and support them throughout the year.

“Mentors this year include cricketer Shane Bond, Olympic swimmers Liz Coster, Helen Norfolk and Dean Kent, and former NZ champion athlete turned TV presenter Jayne Kiely.
The Variety Gold Heart Scholarship fund makes available a maximum of $5,000 per annum for up to three years to help children with special needs fulfil their dreams.

This could include assisting with tuition fees, personal development, coaching, and the purchase of training equipment, travel or accommodation.

One of the many inspirational recipients of the scholarship is 17-year-old Blake Leitch. He has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Type 2) which hasn’t stopped him from achieving six IGCSE passes in the Cambridge International Exams and being in the top 20 per cent of his academic peer group.

His other achievements at school, Westlake Boys, include being appointed school prefect and being awarded the Wayne Reynolds Memorial Award in 2005 as an inspirational student.

He has received a Variety Gold Heart Scholarship for education to pursue his psychology studies.

Blake’s scholarship is funded by CMC Markets and he is mentored by Tony Christiansen, an inspirational man who has not let a horrific rail accident get in the way of his achievements including climbing mountains, writing books and becoming a successful business person.

Another one of the recipients is Daniel Holt, who returned from the recent Paralympic World Championships with a bronze medal.

His motto is “put in the miles, reap the rewards” and, with this in mind, he is well on target to fulfill his dream to be at the 2012 Paralympics in London.

His visual impairment due to albinism has not stood in the way of his dreams and Blind Sport CEO Ray McLeod say Daniel’s future in his chosen sport is promising and he is on track to compete in the 2011 IBSA World Championships and the 2012 London Paralympics.

Variety’s funding has allowed him to compete in the 2009 Paralympic World Championships and also assisted him to go to the 2009 IBSA World Youth Championships, where he won four gold medals and six silver medals.

Daniel’s mentor is three-time Olympic swimmer and Commonwealth Games medallist Helen Norfolk.

Speedo has generously provided Daniel with swimming and training gear.

Applications for the 2010 Variety Gold Heart Scholarship programme close on 31st March, 2010.

For further information or to download an application form, please go to www.variety.org.nz