Robbie Fowler, today presented a Variety, the Children’s Charity bespoke ‘Hillsborough 96’ Sunshine Coach to registered charity Our Lost Love Years (OLLY), at a special presentation at Liverpool Football Club (L.F.C.). The specially designed vehicle, which has been sponsored by L.F.C., will be used to transport children on a number of day trips and social outings.

The Sunshine Coach was donated by L.F.C from funds raised at a fantastic dinner held last November at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Liverpool, where Variety honoured the 96 Victims of Hillsborough. The dinner raised over £100,000 for Variety, the Children’s Charity, and has allowed the purchase of four ‘Hillsborough 96’ Sunshine Coaches for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across Merseyside.

OLLY provides children and young people, who have suffered the loss of a loved one, such as those who suffered at Hillsborough, with support and a range of activities designed at helping them to re-gain the fun in their lives, while helping them re-establish and make friendships following their traumatic experiences. The new Variety Sunshine Coach will offer the children opportunities to experience the outside world in a safe and secure way, through a number of trips and activities.

Ian Ayre CEO of Liverpool Football Club said;

“L.F.C is delighted to be presenting a Variety Sunshine Coach to OLLY and the Hillsborough Family Support Group. This special coach in memory of the Hillsborough 96 will make a huge impact on the lives of children less fortunate than others, whilst acting as a moving memorial to those 96 who tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough.

Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group added;

“The HFSG is delighted that Variety, the Children’s Charity, chose to honour the Hillsborough 96 with this wonderful gesture which will benefit disabled and disadvantaged children in Liverpool. We cannot thank L.F.C enough and seeing the children of OLLY’s charity and their ’reaction to the Sunshine Coach is a real privilege and we are so thankful to Variety, the Children’s Charity, for all their hard work in making this happen.”

Trevor Green, Variety’s Chief Barker and Chairman said;

“Since 1962, we have donated over 5,000 Sunshine Coaches – that’s more than 100 a year. Variety’s specialist minibuses ensure that children can interact with the world around them and experience a fun, entertaining and educational environment, whilst ensuring they are transported as safely as possible. With the support of organisations like L.F.C., Variety can continue to highlight that being disabled or disadvantaged need not be a barrier to getting the most out of life.”

In attendance at the presentation today were:

Robbie Fowler L.F.C. Legend, Ian Ayre CEO of Liverpool Football Club, Margaret Aspinall Chairman person HFSG, Lyn Staunton Development Director Variety, the Children’ s Charity, Jim Donaldson Chairman of Merseyside Variety Committee and Eileen Smith, Suzanne Kinsella and Terry Brogan, Merseyside Variety Committee members.

Photo (L-R): Ian Ayre CEO of L.F.C, Margaret Aspinall Chairperson HFSG, Jean Taylor of Ollys Charity, Robbie Fowler L.F.C. Legend and the Children of Ollys charity.

Photo (L-R): Suzanne Kinsella – Merseyside Committee member, Andrew Holroyd CBE, Lyn Staunton, Ian Ayre C.E.O – L.F.C , Margaret Aspinall HFSG, Eileen Smith – Merseyside Committee member, Robbie Fowler L.F.C Legend, Jim Donaldson – Chairman Merseyside Committee, Terry Brogan – Merseyside Committee member with Jean Taylor in the Coach and the children of Ollys Charity.