vJanuaary 20r14 ietytoday Last November, in the City of London, we launched our ‘Breath of Life’ campaign to provide special Vapotherm ventilators for every specialist hospital that caters for very young and newborn children who suffer from respiratory distress syndrome. It will save many young lives. If you haven’t visited our website lately, take a look. You’ll find a brand new site Rod Natkiel (left), Co-Chairman and Co-Producer of Variety’s Christmas Lunch, introduces that’s been completely redesigned to the new Chief Barker, Trevor Green, in the make information really easy to find: traditional hand-over moment in the event. www.variety.org.uk In future you will be able to book tickets for our events A dynamic year provides a springboard for 2014 online; you can just click and go. The By Trevor Green, Chief Barker website will become the voice of Variety. It is a place of communication I start my year as Variety’s Chief Variety has launched a number and interaction where you can find out Barker knowing that what we have of inspired initiatives. The about what we do and about our achieved in 2013 has provided a building of a new Variety Children’s regional and national fundraising solid basis from which to meet the Hospital at King’s College Hospital activities - as well as a source of challenges ahead. We have had will provide, for the first time, information and application forms to work harder for donations while an environment totally focused for families who need our help. managing an increase in the demand on children and young people. for our services. It will also enable the outstanding We staged the first in our programme team there to expand its capacity of mass participation events last I never cease to be impressed by and further develop its pioneering autumn. Ninety-five runners entered the commitment and loyalty of our work on the many acute and chronic the Royal Parks Half Marathon, raising staff, our volunteers, our fundraisers childhood diseases in which more than £60,000 for Variety. The and corporate supporters. Whatever it specialises. programme continues this spring and the challenge, they are up for it. Their kicks off with our Touch Rugby Charity endeavours last year made it possible In partnership with the Royal Challenge in London. If one of your to provide 47 coaches, 61 wheelchairs, Parks Foundation, we have begun New Year resolutions is to get fit, this trikes and buggies and gave days out planning the start of a redevelopment is a great and fun way to do just that to 30,000 children in London alone. So programme that will see the without going to the gym. It’s open to I would like to send a big “thank you” refurbishment of some thirteen all. Full details can be found on to all of you. children’s playgrounds in London’s the website. eight Royal Parks. For me, the most We owe much of our achievement important aspect of this work is I look forward to meeting as many of over the last twelve months to the making the playgrounds both safe you as possible during the year as I sheer energy and dynamism of our and fully accessible for children with travel throughout the UK to help spur outgoing Chief Barker, Laurence Davis. a wide range of disabilities. Wheelchair on our teams and volunteers. He has set such a blistering pace of access to play equipment and sensory progress and demonstrated what is play for those with hearing or sight Thank you everyone for possible with a ‘can do’ attitude. I am impairment will be possible for the all your support. delighted that Laurence has agreed to first time. I am delighted that we work alongside me for another twelve are pioneering a programme that months as Chair of Fundraising. can be rolled out across the country. Variety Midlands Variety North West Jason Manford High fashion and high tea day presents autistic raises almost £1,000 school with new A great day of high fashion and high tea Sunshine Coach was held at the Adelphi Hotel Liverpool by the Merseyside Committee on Thursday Comedian Jason Manford joined 26th September. pupils and staff at NORSACA’s Sutherland House School in The ladies enjoyed a fantastic fashion show with November to present them with some spectacular evening and day wear, their new Variety Sunshine Coach. followed by high tea and fabulous entertainment. Jason Manford and pupils from Sutherland House School This was the first Merseyside Fashion Show and This specialist day school in be asked to present this fabulous have left to go on to the upper school it proved so popular that the ladies were asking Nottingham caters for children with Sunshine Coach to the children. feel they have achieved something.” for the date of the next one. The day raised £974 autism. Spread across five sites, the with proceeds from tickets and a superb raffle. Ladies enjoy the first Merseyside Fashion Show school accommodates up to ninety- The Sunshine Coach will enable The Sunshine Coach was purchased four boys and girls aged from 3 to 19. the children to experience the outside through a collaborative fundraising world in a safe and secure way campaign between Leeds Building Paul Ince Mask event in Blackpool raises profile and funds Joking with the students, the stand-up through trips out and activities. Society, The Rank Foundation, comedian best known for his roles on Beatrice Laing Trust and NORSACA On 19th October, The Radio Wave team kindly organised Children’s Charity, and Trinity/Brian House Hospice Hero’s comedy panel shows 8 Out of 10 Cats The school has a student council of six - with the money they raised from the “Paul Ince Mask” event, which was a massive media Appeal. Fans were asked to make a small donation before and Odd One In, was “over the moon” children and they have been their 45th Birthday Charity Ball which and PR success. There was plenty of coverage, including receiving their mask. All proceeds were split between to be involved with the project and completely involved in securing the was attended by celebrity baker, in national newspapers and live on Sky Sports, in addition the two charities. commented: It is an honour to new Coach. Even the children who Paul Hollywood. to superb local coverage from both Radio Wave and The Gazette in Blackpool. Variety was delighted with the amount of £1,316 which will go to helping disadvantaged and disabled children in the Variety North The Paul Ince masks were distributed outside the grounds Blackpool Wyre & Fylde Region. A North Pole experience of the football club by two local charities: Variety, the Variety’s 30 year tribute in the North East to local TV presenter Dunes Adventure Island and JAM Variety North West raises £120,000 in memory of The Hillsborough 96 Pam Royle, a household name in the Marketing, a Newcastle based agency, North East, celebrated thirty years pledged their support to Variety, the Variety was overwhelmed by the are being provided by this initiative. as a local ITV presenter in July: quite Children’s Charity, to co-host an event support received at the Charity’s Liverpool and Everton Football an achievement for someone who to raise funds and give some children ‘Variety Honours the Hillsborough 96’ Clubs have each pledged a coach. started out as the local weather girl a fun-packed day to remember. dinner in November. Two more have been donated by in 1983. The Mayor, on behalf of the City On November 29th the function Margaret Aspinall, Chair of the and 5Times, the charity set up by Variety’s tribute event at Gosforth Park Ian Payne and Pam Royale rooms at The Dunes complex were Hillsborough Family Support Group, Liverpool legends including Jan Hotel began with a drinks reception Pam has long been a supporter transformed into a remarkable North welcomed guests by saying: Molby, Bruce Grobbelaar, John and entertainment from Steve Walls, of Variety and has hosted an array Pole experience. This included a winter “Tonight is about remembering Barnes and Robbie Fowler. Sunshine Coach donated by 5Times followed by dinner, many tributes to of celebrations over the last 30 years. wonderland so that the children could and honouring the 96, by helping Pam, a raffle and an auction. She commented, “Recently, I’ve receive a gift from Santa when they children across Merseyside. Variety North West’s Lyn Staunton, been looking through the archives joined him on his magical sleigh. Supporting this project means the who organised the event, commented: An impressive line up of celebrity of Variety events and I have been Hillsborough story will continue to “The story and continued support guests included Duncan Bannatyne, astonished, amused and surprised Two hundred children were welcomed be told and will not be forgotten.” for Hillsborough remains ingrained Joe McElderry, Robson Green, Charlie by what I’ve found. It has made me to the event by the Mayor and in the hearts of Liverpudlians who Harwick and Brendan and Tim Healy realise how much fun we’ve had.” Mayoress of South Tyneside. The Dinner guests at Liverpool’s have demonstrated such remarkable - plus many more famous faces. children had the option either to Crowne Plaza hotel included generosity. Variety is truly humbled to Tony Thornton, Chairman of the have a game of bowling or play in families of the Hillsborough 96, receive such extraordinary support Prizes for the raffle and auction Northern Region, said: “Thirty years the venue’s Adventure Island soft the Hillsborough Family Support that will benefit sick, disabled included an NUFC framed shirt signed service is absolutely fantastic.