Variety Seeks Deserving Children for Free Bikes

8 September 2011

Variety Seeks Deserving Children for Free Bikes

Variety - The Children's Charity is currently calling for nominations of deserving children to be recipients of bikes on its 2011 Bikes for Kids tour, in which it will distribute 450 bikes in the North and South island.

This year the Variety Bikes for Kids tour will be travelling from South Auckland through Cambridge, Taupo, Ruapehu District, South Taranaki, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Wairarapa, Hastings and Napier from 13 to 18 November. The tour will also start with an additional presentation to children in earthquake-affected Christchurch on Friday, 11 November.

"We are encouraging teachers, parents, caregivers, friends and grandparents to nominate a child aged between seven and nine from these areas to receive a brand new bike and helmet from Variety," says Lorraine Taylor, CEO, Variety - The Children's Charity. "For many of these children, it will be their first bike ever. Riding a bicycle is an important part of a Kiwi childhood and we believe that every child is special and deserves to experience the joy of having a bike. Bikes for Kids has been running for twelve years now and each year we hear what a tremendous difference that this simple gift makes to these children."

To receive a bike a child needs to be:

* Aged between 7 and 9 years (between 111 cm and 135 cm tall) * A role model to other children OR * A child who has consistently made a difference within their school and community environments and has shown an outstanding ability to assist those around them OR * Socio-economically disadvantaged, with their family not in a position to purchase a bike OR * Have recently overcome some adverse circumstances.

The annual Variety Bikes for Kids Tour, which takes place in November, is part of Variety's Kids on the Move programme, which provides Kiwi kids with the independence and mobility equipment they so desperately need.

Variety would like to thank The Warehouse, AvantiPlus, Solid Gold, Ford, TR Group and Tasty Pot for their generous support of Bikes for Kids.

To nominate a child, download an application form from www.variety.org.nz or call 09 520 4111 to find out more information. Nominations must be received by Variety by 7 October 2011.

It costs $200 for Variety to provide a quality bike and helmet for a Kiwi kid. To support this valuable programme you can donate online at www.varietynz.org.nz/bikesforkids.

ENDS

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