The programme, which starts in November 2025, will help 500 disabled children before Christmas with sensory toys and special equipment, or technology items to help with communication and learning.

This is the first time Variety has partnered with The Family Fund, a charity that has been supporting disabled and seriously ill children for 50 years. Last year, it provided grants to 80,000 families.

Speaking about the partnership, Cheryl Ward, CEO of Family Fund, said:

Families with disabled children face so many challenges, and support can often feel fragmented. That’s why initiatives like TOGETHER are so important.

“By combining our expertise and resources with Variety, we can provide families with the practical support they really need, more efficiently and effectively.

“Although TOGETHER is only running for three months, it gives us the chance to explore how our two organisations might work more closely in the future to reach even more children and families.”

Laurence Guinness, CEO of Variety, said:

“With 600,000 children both disabled and living in poverty this programme is desperately needed. There is a lot of common ground between Variety and Family Fund. We share a vision of reducing inequality and improving the lives of disabled and disadvantaged children, and we both do this by offering practical support.

“TOGETHER is a great opportunity for us to expand our special equipment programme to reach the most disadvantaged children in the UK, through using Family Fund’s expertise in delivering large-scale grant programmes at pace, and we’re looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”

Find out more about TOGETHER and how to apply for support: www.familyfund.org.uk/grants/schemes/together-programme/