NOMINATE A HERO IN YOUR COMMUNITY!

Variety – The Children’s Charity is hosting its annual Heroes for Kids Luncheon on June 25th at Villa Maria Estate. This gives communities the chance to nominate inspirational and heroic individuals to attend and be recognised for their work caring for kids in need.

This very special occasion is all about celebrating the caregivers – often parents and relatives of sick, disabled or disadvantaged Kiwi kids who deserve a little something special for themselves. Guests will be treated to a delicious three course lunch with celebrity guests and be entertained with musical and comedy performances.

Variety is aiming for 80 –100 ‘Heroes for Kids’ to attend the lunch, and they need your help to find special people who deserve to be celebrated!

If you know someone in your community who deserves to be recognised as a Kiwi Kid Hero and pampered for an afternoon, please nominate them by visitingwww.variety.org.nz before Wednesday June 11th.

Auckland Mum Toni Anderson was delighted to learn that she has been nominated for the Heroes for Kids lunch. She is a single parent who cares for her 3 children including 11 year old Zachary who has Autism.

“It was such a surprise to be nominated. It's a lovely and positive idea to acknowledge people for all the hard work and dedication that goes into parenting children with special needs. I've never been to Villa Maria before - it'll be such a treat” says Toni.

Toni has worked with Zachary intensively and attended many courses and seminars to learn how to support him better. At a time when his sensory behaviour and anxiety was at its worst, Toni had no choice but to remove him from school, and she home schooled him for four years. Zachary has now been accepted into a school which specialises in Autism Spectrum Disorder which he enjoys and he is doing well. Toni continues to do an amazing job with her children and deserves to be treated.

The Heroes for Kids luncheon is an initiative by Friends of Variety, who want to show their support of caregivers by offering an afternoon of fun, appreciation and a little pampering. Friends of Variety’s Aline Sandilands said, “We know there are many caregivers around whose lives are totally disrupted by having children with special needs, and they give up their own lives selflessly to care for them. We want to honour and celebrate the work they do by spoiling them for a few hours, acknowledging their hard work, and showing them the community appreciates them.”

Each table will be hosted by one of Variety’s celebrity friends including Antonia Prebble, Simon Dallow, Karen Olsen, Mary Lambie and Jono Kenyon. Tables are sponsored by organisations that support Variety. There is no cost to the selected caregivers to attend. Thanks to Villa Maria Estate Winery for their generous support of this event.

To nominate a caregiver:
Go to www.variety.org.nz and click on ‘Heroes for Kids Luncheon under ‘Upcoming Events’

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