Celebs Join Waiheke Dayout for Disadvantaged Kids

Celebs Join Waiheke Dayout for Disadvantaged Kids

Simon Dallow and Cocksy the Builder take on Ecozip for charity

THE Annual Variety Trillian Mini Bash fires up on Friday 16th , with a day of visits and donations to West Auckland schools, finishing the day at Middlemore Hospital’s children’s wards.

But it’s Saturday that some of West Auckland’s most disadvantaged children are waiting for.

For at 9am some 47 children with intellectual disabilities from Henderson Intermediate School and from Recreate and Ignite, along with their caregivers, will board a downtown Fullers ferry to Waiheke.

There, they will be greeted by celebrities Simon Dallow, of TV One News fame, and John Cocks, aka Cocksy the Builder – along with the colourful cars and crews of the Mini Bash – for a day they won’t forget in a hurry.

The costumed crews will be donating goodies and helping to ensure the kids have a great day that will include a ride down Waiheke’s famous EcoZip, which has donated 100 free rides for needy kids, including a group from Pakuranga’s Stand Children’s Services.

They’ll all zip down the EcoZip’s lines above the bush, experience the zip’s gorgeous views, and benefit from a challenge overcome – while being royally entertained by Variety Bash crews from as far afield as Timaru and Whangarei, Tauranga and Ohakune.

The ‘Mini Bash’ raises money for Variety – The Children’s Charity, and the 18 participating teams pay a generous donation to take part in their colourful classic cars and fire engines, many kitted out in equally colourful costumes to suit.

The teams are packing gift and goody bags, and some have already left home – Timaru to Auckland may be a challenge for the 1972 Ray White Dodge Challenger, let alone the classic Land Rover leaving Christchurch at the same time.

Variety Ambassador Simon Dallow says he’s looking forward to the day. “These kids aren’t often challenged in a fun and adventurous way, and it’s a privelege to be part of the Variety Trillian Mini Bash, helping out – and better yet, seeing kids blossom as they discover new boundaries.”

“It’s great to see how little it can take to make a difference in these young lives, with a bit of help from folk like the Bashers, and the companies which support them.”

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