Variety Mini Bash Tops $20,000k

9 September, 2011

Variety Mini Bash Tops $20,000k

The Variety Mini Bash raised more than $20,000 as it travelled from Mangere South to Cambridge, via Morrinsville, Matamata, Rotorua and Mamaku from September 2-4.

The Mini Bash is a quirky car rally of around 25 crazy trucks and cars, which travels over 500 km fundraising for Kiwi kids, distributing grants, entertaining children, participating in community projects and telling the Variety story. This year's event saw more than $11,500 plus books distributed to Kiwi kids in need.

Friday started with a launch at Butterfly Creek where children from the Pakuranga Health Camp were treated to a morning filled with fun activities, a performance by Variety Voices and the chance to meet Variety Ambassadors Karen Olsen and Elizabeth Marvelly, Michael Luck and Ronald McDonald.

"Children in South Auckland and North Waikato were treated to a very different day at school when the Variety Mini Bash visited on Friday," says Lorraine Taylor, CEO, Variety - The Children's Charity. "There was much excitement as the kids checked out the Mini Bash vehicles and met the teams, some who were dressed as Scooby Doo, Toy Story, Where's Wally? and Alice in Wonderland characters. We were also pleased that Variety Vice Patron Simon Dallow was able to join the fun of the Mini Bash at Pokeno and Ohinewai Schools.

"Many of the schools presented Variety with money the children had raised through dress up days and sausage sizzles. Thank you to these children who gave so generously to help other Kiwi kids."

On Saturday, children in Rotorua gathered to see the Variety Mini Bash at a community event at Ngongataha Rail Park. Rachel, a young girl in Rotorua who lives with diabetes, was presented with an insulin pump from Variety to free her from daily injections and help her to better manage her condition.

It was well worth coming to school on a Sunday for children at Mamaku Primary School, when they were treated to a Ronald McDonald show and a morning of fun with the Variety Bash. Some Bash teams got stuck in to the school gardens, weeding, pruning and tidying up the grounds.

The Mini Bash finished up at the Cambridge Race Course, where three grants were presented. Local school Hautapu Primary received a grant for $1,000 towards sports equipment, Hamilton Refuge and Support Services accepted $1,000 towards holiday activities and outings for children affected by domestic violence and True Colours Charitable Trust was presented with $500 towards equipment for play therapy for young people with chronic, serious or life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Helping Kiwi kids in this way would not be possible without the support of Variety's dedicated Bash sponsors: Ford New Zealand, Trillian Trust, McDonald's New Zealand, Solid Gold, and the support of the AA and the Royal New Zealand Airforce.

ENDS

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