Students Riding High on Generosity

March 9, 2010

THE Variety Club has handed out $11.3 million to Kiwi kids during the past 20 years and today it was Waimea College’s turn to benefit from the charity’s generosity.

The charity, which provides support to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children, arrived in Nelson last night as part of its annual Variety Club Bash. One of its main missions during its fundraising road trip from Christchurch to Auckland was to present a $46,000 van to Waimea College’s special education unit.

"It’s the sort of thing that we would have to budget for years to buy – it’s fantastic," Waimea College principal Larry Ching said as the keys to the van were handed over in Nelson this morning.

Waimea College has the biggest special education unit in the top of the South Island with 42 students.

Mr Ching said the van would be used to transport them to activities outside the school. Eack week students went to sport’s events, riding for disabled and work experience.

Variety Club grants manager Heather Stevens said the "Sunshine Coach" was the 101st donated by the charity. It was presenting another two coaches during the eight-day road trip thanks to sponsorship from McDonald’s and The Warehouse, she said.

The college’s special education unit deputy head, Alleigh Browning, said the Sunshine Coach would be a blessing for the unit. Teachers and parents often used private cars to transport the students which was "a nightmare to co-ordinate".

"The school is very good about lending their van to us but it’s not always available," she said. "I can’t tell you what a difference this will make."

After having breakfast at McDonald’s, the Variety Club Bash’s convoy of wacky cars and fire engines and 250 fancy- dressed volunteers travelled west to visit schools in Motueka, Takaka and Collingwood. It was leaving the Nelson region tomorrow.

Bash operations manager Adam Leslie said they would be distributing $230,000 in grants during the tour which ends in Auckland on March 15. They hoped to raise about $400,000 as well as "injecting a bit of fun" along the way.

"It’s all about water fights . . . That’s why we have 12 fire engines."