Variety, the Children’s Charity is delighted to announce that it is the proud recipient of the Organisational Freedom Award 2017 from Variety International, the organisation to which Variety affiliates.

Variety’s Freedom Program delivers vital life-changing equipment and services for mobility, independence and social inclusion to individual children and children’s organisations. Variety launched its Sunshine Coach Programme in 1962 and over the past 55 years it has provided more than 5500 specially adapted vehicles to schools and children’s organisations all over the UK. Last year alone Variety gave away 61 coaches worth £2 million.

These vital coaches provide worry free transport for teachers and students, ensuring that children of all abilities have easy access to outdoor learning opportunities, trips out that they couldn’t otherwise afford, off site sports facilities that cater specifically to the children’s needs and vital therapy which many children with profound and multiple learning disabilities need on a daily basis. Every coach that Variety provides opens up a world of opportunity for children who have a range of physical and learning disabilities, who have had a complicated start in life or who are living with financial disadvantage.

Variety’s Head of Programmes, Dave King, said:

“Variety is proud to have been able to help so many children over the past 55 years. 97% of coaches are used many times a week – often several times a day and with each new coach we know that even more children will benefit. This is a real honour for us to be recognised in this way and we’re grateful to all of the companies, trusts and individuals who have donated so generously over so many years.”

For more information on Variety’s Sunshine Coach programme, including how to apply for one, click here