Variety, the Children’s Charity is dedicated to enriching the lives of Australian children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs by assisting them to live, laugh and learn. As a National, not-for-profit organisation Variety transforms and improves the lives of thousands of children in need and every year. We are committed to improving children's lives from birth, right up until the age of 18.

We have transformed young lives in a Variety of different and important ways! Last year alone, Variety granted over $12 million in appeals! Whilst that is a hugely impressive number, the effect that sum of money has had on children's lives is truly immeasurable.

Consider that many children do not enjoy the basic independence that most people take for granted; the freedom to walk, play and participate in everyday activities. With the funds raised from the Santa Fun Run, Variety will be able to provide hundreds of children with the specialised mobility equipment they urgently need. Give children greater freedom this Christmas – it is a wonderful and priceless gift!

As well as helping individual children, Variety gives a great deal of support to Intensive Care Units and health services across the country. Variety provides support where there is no government funding, so the need is urgent and the benefits are broad.

Here are just some of the ways that our grants made a difference to children’s lives last year:

• $3.5m was granted to purchase wheelchairs and mobility devices for individual disabled children across Australia.
• 21 Liberty Swings were installed across Australia allowing disabled children to experience the sensation of being on a swing – a joy that we’re sure most people have taken for granted.
• 37 Sunshine Coaches were delivered to special schools and organisations to ensure safe travel nationally
• Over $5.5m supported the Variety Future Kids Program to help Australian children with their education, experiences and play time
• Over $600,000 was used to purchase urgently needed medical equipment for Children's Hospitals around Australia.

Variety hopes to reach even bigger milestones and help a greater number of children this Christmas and your support of the Santa Fun Run will help us achieve this.