Variety Club Children’s Charity

Variety Club Children’s Charity helps children who are sick, disabled and disadvantaged, trying to give them a better life. Every day a whole range of appeals from organisations and individuals in need are sent to the Variety Club Office and we try to help as many of these as possible. 

Who We Help:

One of our most well-known schemes is providing Sunshine Coaches to children at special schools or youth organisations. These familiar white coaches, offer the opportunity for disabled and disadvantaged children to go on visits for education, leisure, sports and fun. In many cases these children would not be able to go on this kind of trip without one of our coaches.

After receiving their coach the Head Teacher of Charlton School said:
“A big thank you. Our new Sunshine Coach is larger than our other minibuses and enables classes to go to out more as a group, rather than taking two minibuses. Journeys include trips to swimming sessions, shopping trips and school trips to help us follow the National Curriculum.”

Sunshine Coaches are often generously sponsored by a company, and presentations take place each month, with one of our celebrity supporters attending.

Other Ways We Help:

• Providing wheelchairs, mobility aids and other equipment to disabled children.

• Running a Christmas Toy Fund which sends over 25,000 gifts, games and toys to children who would otherwise have no present of any kind.

• Organising Variety at Work Days out to make sure that the children that we work with are enjoying life as much as possible. These trips take children across the country visiting zoos and funfairs, attending shows and visiting football grounds as well as a whole range of educational visits.

• Helping hospitals that treat sick children, not least with the £3 million given to build and enhance the Variety Club Children’s Hospital at King’s College Hospital in London.

• The Variety Club Children’s Nursing Awards fund training to help nurses are for children.

Getting Involved:

The Variety Club Children’s Charity is run by a team of truly committed volunteers who are keen to make a difference to the lives of children like Rachel, who is 12 years old and has Larsens Syndrome. After obtaining an electric wheelchair worth over £3,000 a delighted Rachel said:
“Thanks a lot for your help. It’s more than appreciated. You all have a heart of gold for the lovely wheelchair you gave me. I now feel I have wind beneath my wings.”

There are many ways that you can get involved in bringing sunshine to other children’s lives. You could apply for a Helping Hands pack which is full of ideas that will start you on your way to organising a fun and exciting event to raise money for Variety Club Children’s Charity. Recent fundraising activities have included a charity sports day, a sponsored silence and even a bed race!

For more information about helping Variety Club Children’s Charity, or if you or your school would like to apply for assistance, visit our website at www.varietyclub.org.uk or call us on 020 7428 8100.