Variety’s BBC Lifeline Appeal
This September, Variety, the Children’s Charity is proud to be the featured charity on the BBC Lifeline Appeal.
Airing on BBC One on 6 September at 13:50, the televised appeal shares Dante, Jacob and Mikaeel’s stories and how their lives have been transformed thanks to support from Variety.
Presented by Peter Crouch and Abbey Clancy, the appeal highlights the difference your support can make to disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
How to support the appeal, share and double your donation
Help us make our BBC Lifeline Appeal go further by tuning in, donating and sharing with your family and friends.
Every donation will be doubled up to £20,000 thanks to support from St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation, so your gift can have twice the impact for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
The right piece of specialist equipment can transform a child’s life, so please give generously.
Mikaeel’s story
At five months pregnant, Shajeda was told her baby had severe spina bifida, a condition where the spine does not fully develop.
Mikaeel was born with paralysis in both legs and has used a wheelchair since he was two. As he grew, he used standard NHS walking frames, but they had limitations.
In May 2025, Variety provided Mikaeel with a specialist walker that has transformed his confidence, independence and mobility. It enabled him to play his favourite sport, football, with his friends for the first time rather than watching from the sidelines.
I will never forget when he said, ‘Mum, I’m going on a walk with you.’ I just want my son to have the same opportunities as other children. The walker has given Mikaeel so much more than mobility. It has given him the confidence to take part, be included and simply enjoy being a child.” – Shajeda, Mikaeel’s mum.
Today at six years old, Mikaeel uses his walker daily at home and at school and enjoys playing football, basketball, handball, frame running and dancing. He loves showing people what he can do with his walker.
Dante’s story
Dante was born with brittle bone disease, and scoliosis of the spine. From a young age, Dante has had over 90 bones broken and needed multiple surgeries.
His standard wheelchair made everyday life difficult and increased the risk of breaking further bones. A new specialist wheelchair, costing thousands of pounds, was simply unaffordable for his family.
In 2018, Variety funded a specially adapted lightweight wheelchair for Dante. It gave him more than comfort and mobility; it gave him freedom and the ability to engage more fully with the world around him.
The new wheelchair also had a huge impact on Dante’s mental health, helping him become more active, independent and confident.
If Variety didn’t exist, I feel like my life would be completely different. Variety have helped me so much, whether it comes to being more active both physically and socially, coming out of my shell.” – Dante.
Today, Dante is a Pride of Britain Award winner and has performed on Britain’s Got Talent. He uses his experiences to speak openly about accessibility, independence and equality, and advocates for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
Jacob’s story
Diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy at the age of one, Jacob is a full-time wheelchair user. His condition affects all four limbs and his motor skills, severely impacting his mobility.
Feeling isolated, Jacob was struggling with his mental health. Then he discovered wheelchair rugby and fell in love with the sport.
But without a specialist rugby wheelchair, his potential was limited. He relied on ill-fitting club chairs that caused aches and pains, while the cost of a bespoke chair was out of reach for his family.
Four years ago, Variety provided Jacob with a custom-made rugby wheelchair designed around his needs. It transformed his experience, giving him greater comfort and independence, while helping him find a community and improve his mental health. Sports is now more than just a pastime for Jacob; it’s a way of life.
The chair has made a massive impact on my life as it allows me to be involved in and play the sport I love. Not only do I love playing the sport, but it gives me a sense of belonging, with a group of people who share the same challenges in life as me.” – Jacob.
Variety’s BBC Lifeline Appeal will air again on BBC Two on 11 September at 12:50 and will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Lifeline website from 7 September.