Our newly formed Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde committee of Variety, the Children’s Charity, was officially launched with the release of 200 red heart-shaped balloons from North Pie.
Additional gold balloons were launched in memory of the late Variety supporters and tireless charity fundraisers, Frank Carson and Pat Mancini.

Variety Blackpool Chairman, Fiona Whitworth said,

“The charity is probably more familiar to most people as the Variety Club of Great Britain.”

“Well, the name may have changed but the purpose remains the same – to help the children most at need in the community, and with the formation of this new sub-committee we can ensure that help is directed into the heart of our own community, improving the lives of children we know.”

Among the guests at the launch was Catherine Dellow, head at Red Marsh School for pupils with severe and profound learning difficulties, which in 2010 was presented with a Variety Sunshine Coach following a joint fund raising venture between the Variety North West, the Queen’s Dean Charity and the Blackpool Gazette.

Catherine said:

“The benefits of having a specially adapted minibus are enormous to a school like ours, as it enables our pupils and students to take their learning from the classroom into the community.”

Fiona explains how it’s not all about providing large pieces of equipment, such as Variety Sunshine Coaches

“Sometimes it’s the smallest change that can make the biggest difference.”

“It may simply be a specially adapted car seat costing a few hundred pounds that can change the lives of a family instantly, and I know that in tough financial times such as now, it isn’t always easy to be as generous with our money and time as we would like to be, but this is how coming together as a community can make a difference.”

“Each and every penny raised by and on behalf of the new Variety Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde committee will be spent on directly benefiting those children in our community who most desperately need the help of the charity.”