Throughout our lives, we grow through the experiences that we have. Especially when we're young, we need to explore and discover a wide range of people, places and activities in order to flourish. We yearn for a little taste of freedom and independence.

Right now, two million young people in the UK are living below the poverty line. Their parents and carers can't afford to give them the opportunities they need to play, learn and reach their full potential.

Every day in the UK, 70 children are born or diagnosed with a disability; this affects one in twenty children and their families. Because it costs three times as much to raise a disabled child, many of them will find it harder to make ends meet, let alone fund the kind of specialist help their child needs to live an independent life.

The Variety Club is dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people who need our help. We do this by raising funds for specialist minibuses, wheelchairs, sports equipment, hospital wards, and all sorts of other practical solutions that enable individuals, projects and organisations across the UK to give a wider range of opportunities to the children in their care.