Every child deserves the chance to be the best they can be, to get the most out of life, regardless of their ability or background. For some families, having a child with special needs can be a life-long challenge.Imagine if your child needed round-the-clock care that you just couldn’t afford. Or an expensive piece of medical equipment to help them walk or talk.
Where would you turn for help?
For children who are sick, disadvantaged or who have special needs, that place is Variety – the Children’s Charity. Each year, thousands of these children and their families turn to Variety for support when they need it most. And many more are waiting patiently for caring people like you to help them.
You can make the biggest difference of all.
Variety is where families find help when government assistance isn’t available. When they can’t afford specialist care and equipment for their child. When there’s nowhere else to turn.Your donation today will help change kids’ lives in ways you may never have imagined.Donate Now
Meet Scarlett & Emily
Scarlett is a feisty and outgoing four year old who was born with cerebral palsy spastic diplegia but doesn’t let this dampen her dream of one day becoming a super hero! Her sister, Emily is five years old and lives with autism. Emily is a bit quieter than her younger sister, she loves to draw and paint and hopes to one day become a librarian.
Cameron's Story
Cameron is a happy and affectionate two-year-old boy with an endearing nature who lives with autism, speech impairment and global developmental delays. He enjoys playing with his Thomas the Tank Engine, lining up his alphabet blocks in order, counting and is always singing his favourite songs, despite being unable to communicate his needs verbally.
The Art Bus was established in January 2014 to provide specialist arts programs to children with disabilities or disadvantage. It aims to change children’s lives across South Australia through creative experiences.
William's Story
William is a talented sixteen year old Aussie Rules Footballer and Variety Heart Scholarship recipient living in Loxton, South Australia.
He is zoned to play (Aussie Rules Football) for the West Adelaide Football club and was a member of the U16’s squad in 2016. William had to regularly travel from home in the Riverland to Adelaide for training and games throughout the season.
Harpreet's Story
Meet Harpreet, a Variety SA grant recipient who is seven years of age, and lives with Spina Bifida and Shunted Hydrocephalus. Harpreet relies on a manual wheelchair for her mobility and can now travel safely and comfortably without having to be transferred in and out of her chair thanks to her family’s new wheelchair accessible vehicle. It was all smiles when Harpreet and family picked up the keys from the team at the Variety SA office!
Joseph's Story
Joseph is ten years old and lives with schizencephally, cerebral palsy and seizures. Joseph uses a manual wheelchair for most of his mobility, and is able to stand when supported and uses a supportive walker for short distances indoors.
Olivia's Story
Olivia is a five year old girl with Cerebral Palsy. Olivia relies on a manual wheelchair for all of her mobility and she requires assistance for all of her daily activities. Her mother, Diana, sought financial assistance from Variety SA to purchase a vehicle with side access to allow for the use of a hoist, to assist with lifting Olivia in and out of the family car.
Mattias's Story
Mattias is hardworking and focused on achieving in life, regardless of his blindness. He never uses any excuses to work hard and aim high. He will, of his own free will, practice his piano after school, knowing that ‘practice makes perfect’. Variety SA granted Mattias a Variety Heart Scholarship for piano tuition to the value of $2,160.
Meet Chloe
Chloe is a 7-year-old twin who was born prematurely and lives with cerebral palsy and epilepsy. She has increased muscle tone which makes movement difficult and causes her pain. Her parents requested funding from Variety for leading edge surgery to provide Chloe with a permanent reduction in her spasticity, enabling her to walk independently and free of pain.
Share your story
Do you or your family have a variety story? We would love to hear it!