|
|
|
|
     |
|
|
1 March 2010
VARIETY BASH TO FINISH AT MOTAT - Sunday 14 March
“Given the motoring nature of the Bash, we are delighted to be concluding the 20th Bash at MOTAT at 4.30pm on Sunday 14th March,” said Variety Bash Operations Manager Adam Leslie.
“We encourage the public to spend the afternoon at MOTAT and then welcome the Bash into Auckland,” he continued.
“Alternatively, if you can’t get to MOTAT, then support the Bashers by making your way to an over bridge and wave them as they arrive in Auckland – they are expected on the Southern Motorway from 4pm.”
The Variety Bash is a convoy of over 70 quirky old cars, fire engines and other vehicles that will start its journey at Cathedral Square in Christchurch on March 7th before making its way to Auckland during the week-long Bash – they will raise funds and fun to Kiwi kids, distribute over $230,000in grants, and bring magic and fun to the schools and communities it visits.
“While at MOTAT, we will be making some very special presentations valued at over $90,000 to Auckland children and child-related organisations in need.
“Arohanui Special School from West Auckland has had a huge roll increase over the last few years. Their new Sunshine Coach, funded by The Warehouse, is complete with a hoist for their wheelchair students which will allow the children to get out into the community to educational and recreational activities,” said Mr Leslie.
Another youngster to receive an insulin pump will be 10 year old Frank Clarke from Glendowie - he is passionate about soccer and will now be able to control his glucose levels with his new insulin pump helping him to reach his dream of playing professionally for Manchester United. The money for this pump has been raised by the Miss World NZ contestants.
At only 3, Sophie Martin from the North Shore needs an insulin pump to cope with her Type 1 Diabetes – her solo mum can only work part-time as the diabetes is erratic and the risk of hypoglycaemia is very high.
James is not yet 2 and a very energetic Onehunga toddler with Type 1 Diabetes. His new insulin pump will make managing his condition much easier.
Thomas Busch from Whangaparaoa has a significant thoracic lumber scoliosis and his new specialised trike will help him to exercise as much as possible and have more social contact with his peers.
The 137 students at Mt Richmond Special School will benefit from new learning resources such as play equipment, numeracy tools and literacy resources.
Reuben Voss from Blockhouse Bay has autism and is passionate about music – his new digital piano will help him add to his current recording studio experiences.
“Helping Kiwi kids in this way would not be possible without the support of our dedicated Variety Bash sponsors Ford New Zealand, Trillian Trust, McDonald’s New Zealand, Solid Gold, NZ Post, Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Toyofuji Shipping, Pacific Blue, Bluebridge Cook Strait Ferries, and the support of the AA and the Royal New Zealand Airforce,” said Mr Leslie
The mission of Variety is to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged Kiwi kids to reach their full potential – this is done through a series of grants for items which ‘fill the gaps’ that other organisations or the Government can’t or won’t fund.
Travelling from March 7th – 14th, the Variety Bash will include stops in Christchurch, Hanmer Springs, Westport, Nelson, Farewell Spit, Takaka, Marlborough Sounds, Blenheim, Picton, Wellington, Masterton, Palmerston North, Wanganui, Whakapapa Village, Cambridge and Auckland.
Variety – The Children’s Charity is currently celebrating its 20th anniversary in New Zealand and has distributed over $11.7 million in grants to help Kiwi kids during that time. In November 2009, the celebrations started when Variety distributed 1000 bikes to Kiwi kids including 150 in Auckland.
To make a donation to Variety to help a child in your local area, please go to www.variety.org.nz
|
|
For
more information, including current events and exhibitions, call the MOTAT
Infoline 0800 MOTATNZ (0800 668286) |
|
The
20th anniversary Variety Bash will finish its eight day
convoy at MOTAT and the Auckland public has a chance to see the fun,
fire engines and celebrities of the Bash. 