Variety, the Children’s Charity of Jersey, marks 50 years of helping disadvantaged and special needs children in Jersey, with a charity skydive and, as the Battle of Flowers chosen charity, their first ever float. They want you to get involved and help them fundraise.
For the last 50 years, on almost a daily basis, Variety has received requests from schools, health visitors, social workers, occupational therapists and other organisations who have direct dealings with families for help supporting children who are disadvantaged or have special needs.
Variety’s mission has been assisting these children to ensure that as far as possible they have equal opportunities.
Many of the requests are for help with basic needs such as food, uniforms, shoes, and baby equipment. As well as requests to provide specialist equipment for disabled children such as wheelchairs, walkers, electronic beds and supportive buggies.
In 2017, the total requests Variety received were from 357 families with 732 children amounting to £50,333.70. This represents an increase of 43% in the number of children needing their help from the previous year.
Can you help Variety fundraise to support these children?
How you can get involved:
– Variety are delighted to have been chosen as the 2018 Battle of Flowers official charity. As well as fundraising on the day, they are looking for people to help build and decorate their first ever float.
– Variety will have eight brave skydivers taking to the skies on Friday the 31st August. They are looking for some more volunteers willing to take the plunge for a good cause.
Sandra Auckland, Chief Barker, says:
‘We are very grateful to all of those who have supported Variety over the years. We have been able to help so many individuals during this time and everything we have achieved has been possible thanks to the generosity of Islanders.
Unfortunately, our work is not complete, as we heard from a speech given by the States of Jersey CEO, Charlie Parker, there are still around 300 children in the Island who come from families who are not able to give them breakfast in the morning or buy their school uniforms.
Variety plays a vital role in supporting these children and we are asking you to get involved and give us a special push this year. Whether that be helping us build our float for the Battle of Flowers, jumping out of a plane for Variety or fundraising in any way you can.
We rely entirely on the generosity of Islanders and our patrons to continue to support our children and any offers of help will be received with open arms, whether you want to become a member, fundraise, volunteer or donate. The only people more grateful than the team at Variety, will be the local children whose lives will be improved.’
If you are able to help Variety fundraise please contact us on 01534 856937 or email [email protected]