Be a Clause for a Cause this Christmas!
Variety supports hundreds of children every year, but unfortunately there are thousands more who are asking for our help. This is why the Santa Fun Run is a great way for you to engage your family, friends and colleagues in order to help us continue our vital work in the community.
If 2000 people take part in this year's event and raise $100 each, we can raise a huge $200,000! So why not get 10 friends to donate just $10 each and together we can reach this astounding total.
Every dollar makes a difference and your donation could help a child like Liam or Callum…
Liams’s story…
Liam is a 4 year old boy with a rare case of muscular dystrophy. His condition, which results in the progressive loss of muscle strength through his hips and shoulders, meant that Liam could not even sit up straight. In June support from the Variety Splints Program helped Liam to ride his bike for the first time thanks to a specially created spinal body brace nicknamed ‘Buzz Lightyear’ by Liam and his family. Liam is now able to use a walking frame and sit in a chair independently with other children in his Kindergarten thanks to the body brace. The spinal body brace which cost $1050 is just one example of hundred’s that help children walk and play for the first time. This amazing equipment means that Liam is now able to ride his new bike, something that children take for granted! His mother Gemma, says she loves to see Liam so happy; “It’s great to see Liam able to ride his bike, but the hard part is getting him off”
Click here to watch Liam riding his bike for the very first time!
Callum's story….
Callum is a 2 year old boy with Spina Bifida, leaving him with no feeling below his knees. Through Callum’s condition his feet are also twisted out of shape and roll inwards. When he was diagnosed, his mother feared he would never walk again. However, with the help of Variety’s Splints Program Callum has been fitted with dynamic hinged AFO Splints for lower limb support which helps aligns his feet and hips. Wearing this support, which Callum calls his “rars” through his love of dinosaurs, Callum is able to walk around with a frame chasing bubbles and dodging cones. His mother Nicole describes Callum as a determined young boy. “We never want him to think he can’t do anything because of his condition, but he absolutely can, thanks to Variety”
Click here to watch Callum using his splints
None of this would be possible without the Variety Splints Program, where Variety generously gives upwards of $140,000 each financial year impacting the lives of over 300 children.
Just some of the other ways your fundraising $ can make a difference
$75 to send a child with special needs to the annual Variety Special Kids Christmas Party
$200 will help a child who is non-verbal to communicate with iPad assistive software
$1,000 will give fun and freedom to a child living with disability with their own customised tricycle
$3,500 provides an electric bed and pressure mattress to give a child with special needs a good night’s sleep
$5,000 will help a child living with physical disability with a customised standing frame