What the press says
19 Aug 2008 - Diary: Stars' tribute to Sir Alex
Stars of sport, music and screen were lining up to pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson last night at a glittering dinner held in his honour. As manager of Manchester United, he's won it all - but last night it was Sir Alex in the spotlight when he was honoured by showbiz charity the Variety Club for his outstanding contribution to sport and charitable work.
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13 Aug 2008 - Sharon a vital cog in Variety Club wheel
Last year Sharon Pereira took on a very special challenge to help raise funds for the Variety Club. She walked 100 miles across the Sahara Desert, raising £4,500.
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28 Jul 2008 - Heartlessness of the metal thieves
Primary-school pupils in Monmouth were recently robbed of their end-of-year trip after thieves stole the exhaust system from their new adapted £30,000 minibus, awarded to them by the Variety Club, with half the cost of the vehicle met by Monmouth Rotary Club.
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21 Jul 2008 - Joseph - Lee Mead hangs up his multi-coloured coat
Since then, he has won the Variety Club prize for Outstanding New Talent and although nominated for a Whatonstage.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical, he narrowly missed out to Hairspray‘s Michael Ball.
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18 Jul 2008 - Lee Mead Removes West End
Mead was nominated for a Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance (narrowly missing out to Michael Ball for Hairspray) and won the Variety Club prize for Outstanding New Talent.
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18 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
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18 Jul 2008 - John gets chirpy in middle of duck race
Organising a charity challenge is water off a duck’s back to John Manning. He just calls on his showbiz pals – and 20 THOUSAND plastic ducks! Former Jamestown man John is behind this Sunday’s, massive Duck Race in aid of the Variety Club of Scotland.
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16 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
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16 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
Read the full story
16 Jul 2008 - At Work: Fundraising - Celebrity watch - Lewis Hamilton
British Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton lent his support to the Variety Club's Brands Hatch Track Day earlier this month.
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11 Jul 2008 - Restaurant owner Robert is royally chuffed
The man behind the restoration of a Beech Hill landmark has been honoured by royalty. Restaurateur and entrepreneur, Robert Walton, collected an MBE from Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
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11 Jul 2008 - Pop Group Used By Entrepreneur
The Kent branch of the IoD is now taking team bookings for its annual Corporate Golf Day, to be held this year on Friday October 3, at the London Golf Club near Brands Hatch. This year's chosen charity, which will benefit from an auction held on the day, is the Variety Club.
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11 Jul 2008 - In praise of Sobell
The existing building, opened in 1973, was designed by Bill Laming, of Richard Seifert and Partners, who I understand gave their fees free to a project sponsored by the Variety Club of Great Britain.
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11 Jul 2008 - Defying a pod of whales
Marlow's Nick Berry defied a pod of killer whales to set a new British swimming record. The 22-year-old was part of a three-man team which swam from Spain to Morocco across the hazardous Straits of Gibraltar in three hours and 38 minutes to set a new British record.
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11 Jul 2008 - Defying a pod of whales
Marlow's Nick Berry defied a pod of killer whales to set a new British swimming record. The 22-year-old was part of a three-man team which swam from Spain to Morocco across the hazardous Straits of Gibraltar in three hours and 38 minutes to set a new British record.
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10 Jul 2008 - Callous thieves rob disabled kids
Heartless vandals have left a school minibus immobile, pupils at Overmonnow Primary School learned this week. Teachers arrived at work on Friday morning to find the exhaust and catalytic converter removed from the bus.
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09 Jul 2008 - Students conquer straits challenge
Three Oxford students dodged killer whales, huge ships and strong currents to smash the British record for swimming between Europe and Africa.
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09 Jul 2008 - Variety Club’s ‘Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids’ scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year
Since 1988 Variety has provided 3,270 wheelchairs, and the organisation does a great job by providing equipment and life changing educational and entertaining trips through its Variety at Work scheme.
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09 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set New British Record In Hazardous Straits Of Gibraltar Swim
A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record.
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09 Jul 2008 - A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record
The team from Oxford University completed this dangerous open water challenge in aid of the Variety Club Children's Charity. And even beat the time set by Little Britain star David Walliams and Olympic champion James Cracknell earlier this year by nearly an hour.
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09 Jul 2008 - Be first to see British movie - competition
The Variety Club Children's Charity and Blackpool Odeon are hosting an exclusive preview screening of the must-see new film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (cert 12A).
The Odeon is inviting guests to enter the world of Georgia Nicholson – based on the hugely successful series of novels by Louise Rennison.
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08 Jul 2008 - Uni swimmers snatch record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - University swimmers take record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - Trio Set New British Record In Charity Swim
Three Oxford University students set a new British record in a charity swim across the Straits of Gibraltar. The team completed the open water challenge in three hours and 38 minutes to raise more than £1,600 for the Variety Club Children's Charity.
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08 Jul 2008 - University swimmers take record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set New British Record In Hazardous Straits Of Gibraltar Swim
A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record. The team from Oxford University completed this dangerous open water challenge in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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07 Jul 2008 - Gosport Variety Club on Daily school run
A school charity for children with additional needs in Gosport has taken delivery of an Iveco Daily minibus donated by the Variety Club.
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04 Jul 2008 - Camden Town Unlimited Newsletter - 20 Years Of Easy Riders
What I'm not sure of is how many of you realise that the Variety Club is based in Camden Town.
View the full story (Download PDF)
02 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set To Take On The Straits Of Gibraltar In Record Time
A trio of students from Oxford University's swimming team are set to swim across the Straits of Gibraltar in aid of the Variety Club Children's charity.
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01 Jul 2008 - Home town to host festival honouring 'the father of philanthropy'
...The festival also boasts its own mini film festival, which will feature a charity premiere of Taken – Liam Neeson's new movie – proceeds from which will go to the Variety Club and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. There will also be a special showcase for Napier University's own "screen academy".
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30 Jun 2008 - End of the Motson era
After more than 35 years as BBC Sport's voice of football, Sunday's Euro 2008 final from Vienna marked commentator John Motson's last major television showpiece.
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29 Jun 2008 - John Motson: The Full Motty
There is little mystery to his hold on public appeal. Whatever he says comes straight from the heart.
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28 Jun 2008 - Hamilton lends his support to the Variety Club
Lewis Hamilton has given his support to a special racing experience, organised by children’s charity The Variety Club, for eight lucky pupils at Brands Hatch next week.
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27 Jun 2008 - Sir Trevor Chinn appointed chair of Mayor's Fund for London
Boris Johnson has announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor’s Fund for London. The Mayor made the announcement during the State of London Debate.
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26 Jun 2008 - A Starry night out
Oh what a night! Variety Club celebrated Freddie Starr’s 50 years in showbusiness. Lyn Staunton from Variety Club worked very hard to put the whole night together.
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26 Jun 2008 - Huddersfield children join Harewood fun day
Youngsters from Huddersfield were among more than 400 children taking part in a fun day organised by the Yorkshire region of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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25 Jun 2008 - Boris Johnson today announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor's Fund for London
Boris Johnson today announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor’s Fund for London. The Mayor made the announcement during the State of London Debate.
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25 Jun 2008 - Helping keep the lives of others as sweet as possible
Nestle has made sweets in Halifax for decades - but the company is always looking for new community initiatives to support.
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25 Jun 2008 - Question Time, the BBC's premier political debate programme chaired by David Dimbleby, will be in Bexhill on Thursday 26 June.
The panel will include the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, the Conservative shadow security minister Pauline Neville Jones, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for home affairs Chris Huhne, contemporary artist Grayson Perry and the veteran journalist Ann Leslie.
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24 Jun 2008 - Freddie's starry night
There were, thankfully, no maggots and only the tiniest mention of hamsters - but entertainer Freddie Starr was as unpredictable as ever as he celebrated 50 years in showbiz in Manchester.
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21 Jun 2008 - Top 5 for Kids: Childsplay: King Lear; The Emperor's new Kilt
Family Fun Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Variety Club children's charity with an afternoon of events including bouncy castles, pottery painting, hoopla, uni-cyclists, break- dancing lessons, magicians, wall-climbing and more.
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20 Jun 2008 - Ex Banker back home after bike ride
Pedalling to Paris for charity. I have always enjoyed a good challenge and the thought of cycling from London to Paris in aid of the Variety Club seemed a splendid idea. Prior to commencing the journey we were advised to train but nothing could have prepared us for what was to come on the first two days.
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17 Jun 2008 - Chilling out for charity
Staff at a Carlisle travel agency plan to do their bit for charity with a sponsored 12-mile ice skate. Employees at Thomas Cook’s, English Street will attempt the feat in aid of the new Critical Care Unit at the Variety Club Children’s Hospital in London.
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16 Jun 2008 - Swimmers face Straits challenge
An intrepid trio of friends is set to tackle the 'Everest of open-water swimming' by crossing from Europe to Africa via the 22km-wide Straits of Gibraltar.
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16 Jun 2008 - Shoe recycling scheme opens
A Bredon shop owner is helping local residents to help others by recycling their unwanted shoes. Barry Young of Queensmead Stores has allowed a shoe collection point to be set up in the store. The footwear is sold on to third world countries where it is refurbished and resold at prices local people can afford.
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13 Jun 2008 - Variety the spice of life for Rachel
Derry woman Rachel Scarlett has gained a new perspective on life.
The 19 year-old, who has Larsen's Syndrome, is the proud owner of a new Hippo wheelchair thanks to the Variety Club Children's Charity.
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13 Jun 2008 - Variety Club Fun Day
On Sunday 22nd June, The Variety Club Children’s Charity is hosting a Family Fun Day for all families in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea (and beyond) to raise money to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
Read the full story | Event information
13 Jun 2008 - Region's property excellence recognised at awards
A property chief told a Yorkshire audience last night that the credit crunch had created an "exciting time" for the property industry but warned there would be "casualties" as it continued to affect the economy.
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09 Jun 2008 - David's 500 Mile Trek
David Birchenall, 50, of Chipperfield, has officially hung up his walking boots after raising more than £44,000 during a 500-mile trek in aid of The Variety Club Children's Charity and The Willow Foundation.
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07 Jun 2008 - Club Spirit is Priceless
Full marks to everyone involved in rebuilding the pavilion at Bristol's Manor Farm football club. Comedian Eddie Large has spent years putting smiles on faces.To see their base destroyed by fire would have been enough to finish some clubs.
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05 Jun 2008 - Ben & Jerry's serve up super scoops for charity
Birmingham's cinemagoers helped to raise £112.42 for the NSPCC/Variety Club Charity. For four hours on a special charity day, the Birmingham Scoopshop in the Odeon cinema on New Street served up free ice cream as part of Ben & Jerry’s annual Free Cone Day.
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23 May 2008 - Charity Drive
Clearly having time on their hands, the two sides got together last week for a game of football. Sponsored by Citygrove and Parkridge, the eighth charity match at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground raised £65,000 for the Variety Club Sunshine Coach Appeal.
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23 May 2008 - Andy Abraham - Eurovision line-up complete with Portugal back in
The final line-up for this year's Eurovision contest has been confirmed. After the second semi-final in Belgrade, Portugal's Vania Fernandes was selected to perform on Saturday, the first time in five years the country has made it through to the final.
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21 May 2008 - MP bounces in
A NEW trampoline at a school for children with special educational needs was opened by Harlow MP Bill Rammell on Friday. The funding for the outdoor facility was given to Harlow Fields School, Tendring Road, by Children In Need.
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20 May 2008 - Dubai Properties win international property award
UAE developer Dubai Properties has won the prestigious International Award at The Variety Club Children’s Charity 2008 Property Awards.
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18 May 2008 - Businessman Trevor Hemmings given lifetime achievement award
Chorley-based billionaire Trevor Hemmings has been award a lifetime achievement award at the Variety Club Children's Charity Property Awards.
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15 May 2008 - Father walks length of England on 50th birthday
A father-of-two who turned 50 today has set off on a 500-mile walk to raise thousands of pounds for his two favourite charities. David Birchenall has committed to walking the length of England from Gretna Green to Land's End in aid of the Variety Club Children's Charity and the Willow Foundation.
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09 May 2008 - Ex- Banker Saddles Up for Charity
Last year he cycled the length of London from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, this year he’s going one better, - and several hundreds of miles further: Paris! Is there no stopping this 68 year old ex banker? Former Bank of England employee, John Tunstall, is preparing to saddle-up for a grueling 200 mile bike ride from London to Paris in June. With the aim of completing the journey within four days, John will be raising money in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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08 May 2008 - Gretna Green to Land’s End walk for local man
On May 15th 2008, Chipperfield local, David Birchenall, is to mark his 50th birthday by walking the length of England, from Gretna Green to Land’s End, in aid of The Variety Club Children's Charity & The Willow Foundation.
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07 May 2008 - Our marvellous minibus
A group which helps disabled children is celebrating the arrival of a new £32,500 minibus. After 14 years of fund-raising, the Gosport Opportunity Group has finally raised enough cash to replace its run-down vehicle.
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05 May 2008 - Rise in school trip numbers
A Monmouth school which also houses a unit that caters for disabled children has seen pupils enjoying a number of trips in comfort since the arrival of their new minibus.
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04 May 2008 - 'Come to your wedding?' said mother who abandoned me. 'I'd love to, but it's raspberry picking season'
When my father died, I travelled from London to his Devon farm, home of my upbringing.
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01 May 2008 - Cybermen invade Radlett
Children from special needs schools across the county faced off against Cybermen and Daleks in Radlett on Wednesday, enlisting the help of Doctor Who assistant Ace, and Charlie and Max from EastEnders. Actors Jake Wood, Derek Martin and Sophie Aldred visited the Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, to watch musical and theatrical performances by the schools and, in the case of Mrs Aldred, give a performance of their own at the Variety Club event.
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01 May 2008 - Highest honour for Formby man
A Formby man has been given one of the highest honours in Liverpool. Ray Parr, a building surveyor, from Victoria Road, was awarded a commendation from Bernard Hogan-How, Chief Constable of Merseyside.
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28 Apr 2008 - Behind the wheel with new bus
Icknield School in Andover was presented with a brand new 16-seater minibus after a year of fundraising and seeking sponsorship. The new Sunshine Coach was bought from the children's charity Variety Club and two celebrity representatives of the charity visited the school to make the presentation more of an event.
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28 Apr 2008 - Praise for family's wonderful work
Thirty-four members of the Mistry family who live in Lidget Green have given £3,250, with the promise of more after they have held their charity night in May, to the school for the blind in Gujarat, India, so that they can build three dormitories and provide beds for the pupils who, at present, sleep on the floor
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25 Apr 2008 - Summer arrives early for Havens with new minibus
A £34,000 minibus has been donated to Little Havens children's hospice. The top-of-the-range bus will allow more children and their familes to enjoy day trips this summer. The 17-seater Iveco vehicle has been donated to the hospice, based in Thundersley, by the Stanley Sanger Trust and the Variety Club.
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24 Apr 2008 - Mobility help is on offer
Do you need a new wheelchair for your child - and can’t afford the cost? The Variety Club might be able to help.
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24 Apr 2008 - Teamwork helps Bury firms scoop honours
Two enterprising Bury companies certainly made a big meal of it when they scooped triple honours at the Business for Breakfast (B4B) annual awards dinner.
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21 Apr 2008 - Freddie's Starr of the show
Legendary entertainer, Freddie Starr is to be the latest recipient of a prestigious Variety Club tribute, to celebrate his 50 years in the world of showbiz.
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18 Apr 2008 - Pedalling pensioner to set off for Paris
A pedalling pensioner is preparing to get on his bike to raise funds for disabled and disadvantaged children. John Tunstall from Weybridge will embark on a gruelling 200-mile cycle ride from London to Paris in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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17 Apr 2008 - Special gig to help little Amber
The best "young" band to play at the Evening News Golden Years gigs were Cloud Nine - and now the original quartet are reforming for a very special gig. The whole idea is to have a great time and help a little girl take her first steps.
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17 Apr 2008 - Profile on Bill Duncan
While he has the ability to remain absolutely deadpan, there is always more than just the trace of a mischievous twinkle in Bill Duncan’s eye. The subject for this week's profile is a man who has been entertaining with his own brand of magic, DJ gigs, radio, stage and TV presenting since 1981.
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17 Apr 2008 - Marathon runners boost charities
Among the Masai warriors, knitting grandmas, running rhinos and serious competitors were a sprinkling of local runners pounding the capital's streets on Sunday. As always the Flora London Marathon threw up a range of inspiring stories focussing on the good causes people were raising money for as well as the runners themselves many of whom had their own moving tales to tell.
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17 Apr 2008 - Fundraisers add sunshine
Fundraising by T-Mobile staff has made it possible for a new minibus to be donated to children with special needs. Families who use children’s charity NCH Cymru’s Caerphilly Children’s Centre enjoyed the official unveiling of the Variety Club Sunshine Coach, which has been presented to the centre thanks to a £19,000 contribution from The Variety Club, alongside £10,000 of local fundraising.
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16 Apr 2008 - Variety's Easy Riders Team Supports Marcus On Road To Independence
2008 is the twentieth anniversary of Variety Club's Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids Programme. The children's charity is urging more disabled children and their families to apply for wheelchairs. Fourteen year old Marcus from Buckinghamshire, is the proud owner of a new wheelchair from the Variety Club Children's Charity.
The Variety Club spoke to Mix 107 FM:
Listen to the audio clip (3.3Mb Mp3 format)
11 Apr 2008 - Chocolate eggs for Valley Road Community Primary School
The children really enjoyed the eggs and were very impressed that Mr Jim Cleghorn, a representative from the Variety Club, just turned up at school and gave us the eggs for no apparent reason other than thoughtfulness and generosity. What a great message for children!
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10 Apr 2008 - Children will benefit from sweet thought
Nestle staff at Halifax are used to hitting targets. But they excelled themselves this year by helping colleagues across the UK raise enough cash to buy six Sunshine coaches for children's charities. And a gala dinner recently raised an additional £28,000.
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09 Apr 2008 - C'MERE, THERE'S MORE
The Best of British Variety Tour 2008, presented by Tony Denton Promotions, brings together the cream of variety entertainment from past decades and heads to Plymouth Pavilions later this year.
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01 Apr 2008 - Great Acts Who Never Went Away
The Best Of British Variety Tour 2008 brings six familiar names to Plymouth's Pavilions in September for an evening of entertainment harking back to the good old days.
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26 Mar 2008 - Tarrant to host ITV Beadle tribute
ITV1 is to pay tribute to Jeremy Beadle in a 60-minute programme hosted by Chris Tarrant. Called An Audience Without Jeremy Beadle, the programme is being made by Talent Television and will take a look at Beadle’s career on shows such as Game for a Laugh and Beadle’s About.
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25 Mar 2008 - Cash needed for vital schoool bus
A Monmouth school for disabled children needs to raise £3,000 to keep its new minibus on the road. Overmonnow Special Needs Unit opened in 1991and has 24 children who are deaf, blind, autistic or have severe learning difficulties.
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25 Mar 2008 - Peter's on-stage suprise
Funnyman Peter Kay battled through the pain barrier to play his part in an impromptu theatre appearance in Manchester. The Bolton comedian surprised everyone - especially his friend, For The Love Of Mrs Brown star Brendan O'Carroll - when he appeared on stage for the hit show's big finale, dressed as a male gigolo and sporting a posing pouch.
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22 Mar 2008 - New charity challenge for fund-raiser Julie
A mother who raised £50,000 for the Grace House Hospice Appeal in memory of her dead son has announced her latest challenge. Julie Reay, 43, of Roker Avenue, set up the Peter David Lane Trust Fund, to keep her son's memory alive after he died in a rope swing accident aged 13.
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20 Mar 2008 - Egg run is no yoke for bikers
A band of bikers egg-celerated to Tadley to pick up some Easter treats. The Thames Vale Vultures, who meet every week at the Flowing Spring pub near Sonning Common, will be leave Tilehurst tomorrow to take part in the annual Berkshire Egg Run.
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19 Mar 2008 - Bikers ride in to claim pupils' egg donations
Bikers descended on a Basingstoke infant school to collect Easter eggs for charity. In total, 12 motorcyclists, dressed in full leathers, attended Kings Furlong Infant School, in Chestnut Drive, on behalf of the Variety Club in Reading, to collect eggs the children had brought in from home.
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10 Mar 2008 - Hundreds of People Pay Tribute to Graham Wilkes
Tributes have poured in for Graham Wilkes, father of Potteries entertainer Jonathan, and a well known entrepreneur, entertainer and toastmaster.
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08 Mar 2008 - David Barnes
As Barney the Clown, David Barnes made 50 or more appearances before the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and most other members of the Royal Family.
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07 Mar 2008 - Graham Wilkes Dies
Potteries-born entertainer Jonathan Wilkes and his family are in mourning today following the sudden death of his father Graham.
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06 Mar 2008 - What A Cracker: Frank's Auction Offering
Guests at a charity lunch will have the chance to win a round of golf and dinner with comedian Frank Carson.The comedian has put up the prize for auction at the Variety Club South West lunch, which will also feature a Rod Stewart tribute.
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29 Feb 2008 - Children's charity takes leading role at property awards
Part of the Queen's Hotel in Leeds was transformed into a glamorous 'Bollywood' film set for this year's Residential Prop Awards (Resi Prop Awards). The event raised £70,000 for the Yorkshire Region of the Variety Club Children's Charity, which is dedicated to making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged and disabled children.
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29 Feb 2008 - Freeview: KK Spreads A Little Sunshine
Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan was this week on hand to present North East schoolchildren with the keys to their new Variety Club Sunshine coach.
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27 Feb 2008 - Why young alex is now walking tall
Most football fans are well acquainted with the feelings of disappointment and despondency. But for 13-year-old Chelsea fan Alex Stabler, those feelings would crop up on a regular basis on his trips to Stamford Bridge, when his season ticket confined him to a spot behind advertising hoardings where he couldn't see his heroes in action.
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26 Feb 2008 - 60 years of helping disabled children
IF you go to the cinema, check out my trailer for the Variety Club Children's Charity. For nearly 60 years this charity has supported sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in the UK.
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25 Feb 2008 - Centaur to hold regatta in AugustCentaur to hold regatta in August
Mortgage Strategy's parent company Centaur Media is launching a regatta, tipped to be one of the corporate events of the year for entertaining clients and team building. The regatta, scheduled for the Solent on August 21 and 22, will challenge teams of eight to compete for the Financial Challenge Cup whileraising funds for Variety Club Children's Charity.
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22 Feb 2008 - Innovation is a necessity not an option says Alumet
Southam based Alumet Systems flew the flag for the construction industry at the International Convention Centre when they collected the Variety Club Business Innovator of the Year award from Angela Rippon.
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22 Feb 2008 - Man who helped Peugeot workers gets award
Dr Brian Woods-Scawen, who received a CBE in the New Year Honours for services to business and the community in the West Midlands, received the award from the Variety Club of Great Britain at a ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham attended by hundreds of guests.
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20 Feb 2008 - Fancy dinner with Joe?
Entertainer Joe Longthorne has a hectic year ahead. For as well as embarking on a mammoth 43-date UK tour from next month, he's also set aside three nights to star at special cabaret dinners in Manchester.
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19 Feb 2008 - Help Variety Club To Help Children
For more than 50 years, The Variety Club Children's Charity has supported sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
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18 Feb 2008 - Star shines for Sunshine Centre
It might be called the Sunshine Centre, but it was a star who was the centre of attention when the Variety Club came to visit on Friday (15 February). Former Blue singer - and now solo artist - Simon Webbe was at the club for children with special needs in Civic Square, Tilbury, to hand over a specially adapted £45,000 Variety Club minibus with an easy-to-use tail lift.
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15 Feb 2008 - Ricky Gervais Movie Trailer To Support Variety Club Children's Charity Throughout The UK
From 15th February 2008, Ricky Gervais, star of The Office and Extras is to appear in a cinema trailer for The Variety Club Children's Charity.
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15 Feb 2008 - Ricky Gervais Backs Children's Charity
Comedian Ricky Gervais is to appear with some "cheeky" pupils from a north London school in a cinema trailer to support a children's charity. The Office and Extras star can be seen in the Variety Club's ad from today, alongside pupils from The Bridge School in Islington.
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15 Feb 2008 - Prizm Is 'Small Business Of The Year'
A Tamworth firm has been declared Midlands Small Business of the Year 2008 at a prestigious awards ceremony after only 12 months in operation. Prizm Solutions Ltd, an insurance provider for businesses based in Fazeley, received the honour at the 21st Variety Club Midlands Awards held at Birmingham's International Convention Centre recently.
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14 Feb 2008 - New Broker Wins Award
Start-up broker Prizm Solutions has been named Midlands small business of the year 2008 after only 12 months of trading. The prestigious award was presented to the Layton Blackham Business Solutions partner at Birmingham's International Convention Centre during the 21st Variety Club Midlands Business Awards last month.
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13 Feb 2008 - Champneys aids Variety Club to present new Sunshine Coach
On February 15th 2008 make sure you wear your sunglasses because Champneys and The Variety Club will present staff and pupils at the Sunshine Centre, Tilbury, Essex with the keys to a brand new IVECO Variety Club Sunshine Coach.
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13 Feb 2008 - Round-up of the latest fundraising campaigns
The Variety Club Children's Charity is hosting its 17th Gold Heart day on 14 February to raise money for disadvantaged, sick and disabled children. Gold heart badges will go on sale at £1 each. The event has raised £30m to date.
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12 Feb 2008 - Ricky Gervais Movie Trailer To Support Variety Club Children's Charity Throughout The UK
From 15th February 2008, Ricky Gervais, star of The Office & Extras is to appear in a cinema trailer for The Variety Club Children’s Charity. The trailer will be screened at ODEON, Cineworld, Curzon Cinemas, Empire Cinemas, Picture House, The Screens and Vue Cinemas.
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12 Feb 2008 - Supporting Variety Club
Variety Club provides support to children by providing IVECO Sunshine Coaches to schools with disabled pupils, children's hospitals and hospices and to many other types of organisations. 101 coaches were provided throughout 2007.
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12 Feb 2008 - Crown Bingo donates to children's charity
The North-East's favourite online bingo site, Crown Bingo, is 'showing the love' this Valentine's Day by donating 50% of their prize pool to the North East Variety Club's Children's Charity.
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08 Feb 2008 - Bikers In Charity Appeal Ahead Of Easter Egg Run
More than 100 motorcyclists will ride in formation through Reading on Good Friday to deliver Easter eggs in aid of a charity that helps sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK. The kind-hearted bikers from the Thames Vale Vultures Motorcycle Club hope to collect around 1,000 eggs and £2,000 for the Variety Club.
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06 Feb 2008 - Awards To Honour Welsh Property Professionals
People in Property: Props Awards Wales 2007, in association with the Variety Club children’s charity, will be held at a luncheon event at Cardiff City Hall and will feature eight categories, along with a lifetime achievement award.
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31 Jan 2008 - Small Broker Named Midland's Finest
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30 Jan 2008 - Paper Round
A Lancashire shoe recycling bin belonging to the Variety Club has been ransacked and tipped over, and is now being used as a drinking den by local alcoholics.
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28 Jan 2008 - New Wheelchair Lets Jake Get On The Ball
A young wheelchair-bound football fan is getting a real kick out of life again thanks to the help of a charity. Jake Hill, 12, was given a new hi-tech £5,000 electric wheelchair to replace his old manual chair by the Variety Club after his school contacted the club for help.
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23 Jan 2008 - Exclusive First Screening At Odeon Rochdale In Aid Of Charity
Odeon Rochdale has announced an exclusive first screening of this year’s hottest Valentines romantic comedy, Definitely, Maybe, offering film fans the chance to see the film before anyone else and also support a charity - all proceeds going straight to The Variety Club.
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21 Jan 2008 - JPMorgan Teams Up With Variety Club To Support Children’s Unit
A generous donation from JPMorgan and the Variety Club means young patients in Poole Hospital’s children’s unit will benefit from new equipment to administer medical fluids steadily and safely.
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21 Jan 2008 - Charity Skip Used As Drinking Den
Vandals have tipped over a Variety Club Children's Charity shoe recycling bin in Morecambe's Winter Gardens car park and it is now being used as a drinking shelter by alcoholics.
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14 Jan 2008 - Kaphan Makes A Noise At Variety Club
Children's charity Variety Club has appointed Norman Kaphan as its new chief barker - its equivalent of a chief executive. The post is taken by a different person each year.
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08 Jan 2008 - Technicians Pose For Cheeky Calendar
A theatre technician from Winchester has posed in a cheeky calendar to help raise money for Variety Club Children's Charity.
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Stars of sport, music and screen were lining up to pay tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson last night at a glittering dinner held in his honour. As manager of Manchester United, he's won it all - but last night it was Sir Alex in the spotlight when he was honoured by showbiz charity the Variety Club for his outstanding contribution to sport and charitable work.
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13 Aug 2008 - Sharon a vital cog in Variety Club wheel
Last year Sharon Pereira took on a very special challenge to help raise funds for the Variety Club. She walked 100 miles across the Sahara Desert, raising £4,500.
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28 Jul 2008 - Heartlessness of the metal thieves
Primary-school pupils in Monmouth were recently robbed of their end-of-year trip after thieves stole the exhaust system from their new adapted £30,000 minibus, awarded to them by the Variety Club, with half the cost of the vehicle met by Monmouth Rotary Club.
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21 Jul 2008 - Joseph - Lee Mead hangs up his multi-coloured coat
Since then, he has won the Variety Club prize for Outstanding New Talent and although nominated for a Whatonstage.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical, he narrowly missed out to Hairspray‘s Michael Ball.
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18 Jul 2008 - Lee Mead Removes West End
Mead was nominated for a Whatsonstage.com Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance (narrowly missing out to Michael Ball for Hairspray) and won the Variety Club prize for Outstanding New Talent.
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18 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
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18 Jul 2008 - John gets chirpy in middle of duck race
Organising a charity challenge is water off a duck’s back to John Manning. He just calls on his showbiz pals – and 20 THOUSAND plastic ducks! Former Jamestown man John is behind this Sunday’s, massive Duck Race in aid of the Variety Club of Scotland.
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16 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
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16 Jul 2008 - Variety Club wheels for Kennedy
The Variety Club's 'Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids' scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and has provided close to 3153 wheelchairs since 1988.
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16 Jul 2008 - At Work: Fundraising - Celebrity watch - Lewis Hamilton
British Formula 1 racing driver Lewis Hamilton lent his support to the Variety Club's Brands Hatch Track Day earlier this month.
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11 Jul 2008 - Restaurant owner Robert is royally chuffed
The man behind the restoration of a Beech Hill landmark has been honoured by royalty. Restaurateur and entrepreneur, Robert Walton, collected an MBE from Prince Charles at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
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11 Jul 2008 - Pop Group Used By Entrepreneur
The Kent branch of the IoD is now taking team bookings for its annual Corporate Golf Day, to be held this year on Friday October 3, at the London Golf Club near Brands Hatch. This year's chosen charity, which will benefit from an auction held on the day, is the Variety Club.
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11 Jul 2008 - In praise of Sobell
The existing building, opened in 1973, was designed by Bill Laming, of Richard Seifert and Partners, who I understand gave their fees free to a project sponsored by the Variety Club of Great Britain.
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11 Jul 2008 - Defying a pod of whales
Marlow's Nick Berry defied a pod of killer whales to set a new British swimming record. The 22-year-old was part of a three-man team which swam from Spain to Morocco across the hazardous Straits of Gibraltar in three hours and 38 minutes to set a new British record.
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11 Jul 2008 - Defying a pod of whales
Marlow's Nick Berry defied a pod of killer whales to set a new British swimming record. The 22-year-old was part of a three-man team which swam from Spain to Morocco across the hazardous Straits of Gibraltar in three hours and 38 minutes to set a new British record.
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10 Jul 2008 - Callous thieves rob disabled kids
Heartless vandals have left a school minibus immobile, pupils at Overmonnow Primary School learned this week. Teachers arrived at work on Friday morning to find the exhaust and catalytic converter removed from the bus.
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09 Jul 2008 - Students conquer straits challenge
Three Oxford students dodged killer whales, huge ships and strong currents to smash the British record for swimming between Europe and Africa.
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09 Jul 2008 - Variety Club’s ‘Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids’ scheme celebrates its 20th anniversary this year
Since 1988 Variety has provided 3,270 wheelchairs, and the organisation does a great job by providing equipment and life changing educational and entertaining trips through its Variety at Work scheme.
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09 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set New British Record In Hazardous Straits Of Gibraltar Swim
A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record.
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09 Jul 2008 - A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record
The team from Oxford University completed this dangerous open water challenge in aid of the Variety Club Children's Charity. And even beat the time set by Little Britain star David Walliams and Olympic champion James Cracknell earlier this year by nearly an hour.
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09 Jul 2008 - Be first to see British movie - competition
The Variety Club Children's Charity and Blackpool Odeon are hosting an exclusive preview screening of the must-see new film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (cert 12A).
The Odeon is inviting guests to enter the world of Georgia Nicholson – based on the hugely successful series of novels by Louise Rennison.
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08 Jul 2008 - Uni swimmers snatch record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - University swimmers take record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - Trio Set New British Record In Charity Swim
Three Oxford University students set a new British record in a charity swim across the Straits of Gibraltar. The team completed the open water challenge in three hours and 38 minutes to raise more than £1,600 for the Variety Club Children's Charity.
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08 Jul 2008 - University swimmers take record
Three Oxford swimmers have smashed the British record for swimming from Europe to Africa.
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08 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set New British Record In Hazardous Straits Of Gibraltar Swim
A team of three British students has successfully swum the entire length of the Straits of Gibraltar, unaided in three hours and 38 minutes setting a new British record. The team from Oxford University completed this dangerous open water challenge in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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07 Jul 2008 - Gosport Variety Club on Daily school run
A school charity for children with additional needs in Gosport has taken delivery of an Iveco Daily minibus donated by the Variety Club.
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04 Jul 2008 - Camden Town Unlimited Newsletter - 20 Years Of Easy Riders
What I'm not sure of is how many of you realise that the Variety Club is based in Camden Town.
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02 Jul 2008 - British Trio Set To Take On The Straits Of Gibraltar In Record Time
A trio of students from Oxford University's swimming team are set to swim across the Straits of Gibraltar in aid of the Variety Club Children's charity.
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01 Jul 2008 - Home town to host festival honouring 'the father of philanthropy'
...The festival also boasts its own mini film festival, which will feature a charity premiere of Taken – Liam Neeson's new movie – proceeds from which will go to the Variety Club and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. There will also be a special showcase for Napier University's own "screen academy".
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30 Jun 2008 - End of the Motson era
After more than 35 years as BBC Sport's voice of football, Sunday's Euro 2008 final from Vienna marked commentator John Motson's last major television showpiece.
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29 Jun 2008 - John Motson: The Full Motty
There is little mystery to his hold on public appeal. Whatever he says comes straight from the heart.
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28 Jun 2008 - Hamilton lends his support to the Variety Club
Lewis Hamilton has given his support to a special racing experience, organised by children’s charity The Variety Club, for eight lucky pupils at Brands Hatch next week.
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27 Jun 2008 - Sir Trevor Chinn appointed chair of Mayor's Fund for London
Boris Johnson has announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor’s Fund for London. The Mayor made the announcement during the State of London Debate.
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26 Jun 2008 - A Starry night out
Oh what a night! Variety Club celebrated Freddie Starr’s 50 years in showbusiness. Lyn Staunton from Variety Club worked very hard to put the whole night together.
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26 Jun 2008 - Huddersfield children join Harewood fun day
Youngsters from Huddersfield were among more than 400 children taking part in a fun day organised by the Yorkshire region of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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25 Jun 2008 - Boris Johnson today announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor's Fund for London
Boris Johnson today announced that Sir Trevor Chinn has been appointed as chair of the Mayor’s Fund for London. The Mayor made the announcement during the State of London Debate.
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25 Jun 2008 - Helping keep the lives of others as sweet as possible
Nestle has made sweets in Halifax for decades - but the company is always looking for new community initiatives to support.
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25 Jun 2008 - Question Time, the BBC's premier political debate programme chaired by David Dimbleby, will be in Bexhill on Thursday 26 June.
The panel will include the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper, the Conservative shadow security minister Pauline Neville Jones, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for home affairs Chris Huhne, contemporary artist Grayson Perry and the veteran journalist Ann Leslie.
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24 Jun 2008 - Freddie's starry night
There were, thankfully, no maggots and only the tiniest mention of hamsters - but entertainer Freddie Starr was as unpredictable as ever as he celebrated 50 years in showbiz in Manchester.
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21 Jun 2008 - Top 5 for Kids: Childsplay: King Lear; The Emperor's new Kilt
Family Fun Day at Royal Hospital Chelsea. The Variety Club children's charity with an afternoon of events including bouncy castles, pottery painting, hoopla, uni-cyclists, break- dancing lessons, magicians, wall-climbing and more.
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20 Jun 2008 - Ex Banker back home after bike ride
Pedalling to Paris for charity. I have always enjoyed a good challenge and the thought of cycling from London to Paris in aid of the Variety Club seemed a splendid idea. Prior to commencing the journey we were advised to train but nothing could have prepared us for what was to come on the first two days.
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17 Jun 2008 - Chilling out for charity
Staff at a Carlisle travel agency plan to do their bit for charity with a sponsored 12-mile ice skate. Employees at Thomas Cook’s, English Street will attempt the feat in aid of the new Critical Care Unit at the Variety Club Children’s Hospital in London.
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16 Jun 2008 - Swimmers face Straits challenge
An intrepid trio of friends is set to tackle the 'Everest of open-water swimming' by crossing from Europe to Africa via the 22km-wide Straits of Gibraltar.
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16 Jun 2008 - Shoe recycling scheme opens
A Bredon shop owner is helping local residents to help others by recycling their unwanted shoes. Barry Young of Queensmead Stores has allowed a shoe collection point to be set up in the store. The footwear is sold on to third world countries where it is refurbished and resold at prices local people can afford.
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13 Jun 2008 - Variety the spice of life for Rachel
Derry woman Rachel Scarlett has gained a new perspective on life.
The 19 year-old, who has Larsen's Syndrome, is the proud owner of a new Hippo wheelchair thanks to the Variety Club Children's Charity.
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13 Jun 2008 - Variety Club Fun Day
On Sunday 22nd June, The Variety Club Children’s Charity is hosting a Family Fun Day for all families in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea (and beyond) to raise money to help sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
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13 Jun 2008 - Region's property excellence recognised at awards
A property chief told a Yorkshire audience last night that the credit crunch had created an "exciting time" for the property industry but warned there would be "casualties" as it continued to affect the economy.
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09 Jun 2008 - David's 500 Mile Trek
David Birchenall, 50, of Chipperfield, has officially hung up his walking boots after raising more than £44,000 during a 500-mile trek in aid of The Variety Club Children's Charity and The Willow Foundation.
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07 Jun 2008 - Club Spirit is Priceless
Full marks to everyone involved in rebuilding the pavilion at Bristol's Manor Farm football club. Comedian Eddie Large has spent years putting smiles on faces.To see their base destroyed by fire would have been enough to finish some clubs.
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05 Jun 2008 - Ben & Jerry's serve up super scoops for charity
Birmingham's cinemagoers helped to raise £112.42 for the NSPCC/Variety Club Charity. For four hours on a special charity day, the Birmingham Scoopshop in the Odeon cinema on New Street served up free ice cream as part of Ben & Jerry’s annual Free Cone Day.
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23 May 2008 - Charity Drive
Clearly having time on their hands, the two sides got together last week for a game of football. Sponsored by Citygrove and Parkridge, the eighth charity match at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground raised £65,000 for the Variety Club Sunshine Coach Appeal.
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23 May 2008 - Andy Abraham - Eurovision line-up complete with Portugal back in
The final line-up for this year's Eurovision contest has been confirmed. After the second semi-final in Belgrade, Portugal's Vania Fernandes was selected to perform on Saturday, the first time in five years the country has made it through to the final.
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21 May 2008 - MP bounces in
A NEW trampoline at a school for children with special educational needs was opened by Harlow MP Bill Rammell on Friday. The funding for the outdoor facility was given to Harlow Fields School, Tendring Road, by Children In Need.
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20 May 2008 - Dubai Properties win international property award
UAE developer Dubai Properties has won the prestigious International Award at The Variety Club Children’s Charity 2008 Property Awards.
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18 May 2008 - Businessman Trevor Hemmings given lifetime achievement award
Chorley-based billionaire Trevor Hemmings has been award a lifetime achievement award at the Variety Club Children's Charity Property Awards.
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15 May 2008 - Father walks length of England on 50th birthday
A father-of-two who turned 50 today has set off on a 500-mile walk to raise thousands of pounds for his two favourite charities. David Birchenall has committed to walking the length of England from Gretna Green to Land's End in aid of the Variety Club Children's Charity and the Willow Foundation.
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09 May 2008 - Ex- Banker Saddles Up for Charity
Last year he cycled the length of London from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, this year he’s going one better, - and several hundreds of miles further: Paris! Is there no stopping this 68 year old ex banker? Former Bank of England employee, John Tunstall, is preparing to saddle-up for a grueling 200 mile bike ride from London to Paris in June. With the aim of completing the journey within four days, John will be raising money in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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08 May 2008 - Gretna Green to Land’s End walk for local man
On May 15th 2008, Chipperfield local, David Birchenall, is to mark his 50th birthday by walking the length of England, from Gretna Green to Land’s End, in aid of The Variety Club Children's Charity & The Willow Foundation.
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07 May 2008 - Our marvellous minibus
A group which helps disabled children is celebrating the arrival of a new £32,500 minibus. After 14 years of fund-raising, the Gosport Opportunity Group has finally raised enough cash to replace its run-down vehicle.
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05 May 2008 - Rise in school trip numbers
A Monmouth school which also houses a unit that caters for disabled children has seen pupils enjoying a number of trips in comfort since the arrival of their new minibus.
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04 May 2008 - 'Come to your wedding?' said mother who abandoned me. 'I'd love to, but it's raspberry picking season'
When my father died, I travelled from London to his Devon farm, home of my upbringing.
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01 May 2008 - Cybermen invade Radlett
Children from special needs schools across the county faced off against Cybermen and Daleks in Radlett on Wednesday, enlisting the help of Doctor Who assistant Ace, and Charlie and Max from EastEnders. Actors Jake Wood, Derek Martin and Sophie Aldred visited the Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, to watch musical and theatrical performances by the schools and, in the case of Mrs Aldred, give a performance of their own at the Variety Club event.
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01 May 2008 - Highest honour for Formby man
A Formby man has been given one of the highest honours in Liverpool. Ray Parr, a building surveyor, from Victoria Road, was awarded a commendation from Bernard Hogan-How, Chief Constable of Merseyside.
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28 Apr 2008 - Behind the wheel with new bus
Icknield School in Andover was presented with a brand new 16-seater minibus after a year of fundraising and seeking sponsorship. The new Sunshine Coach was bought from the children's charity Variety Club and two celebrity representatives of the charity visited the school to make the presentation more of an event.
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28 Apr 2008 - Praise for family's wonderful work
Thirty-four members of the Mistry family who live in Lidget Green have given £3,250, with the promise of more after they have held their charity night in May, to the school for the blind in Gujarat, India, so that they can build three dormitories and provide beds for the pupils who, at present, sleep on the floor
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25 Apr 2008 - Summer arrives early for Havens with new minibus
A £34,000 minibus has been donated to Little Havens children's hospice. The top-of-the-range bus will allow more children and their familes to enjoy day trips this summer. The 17-seater Iveco vehicle has been donated to the hospice, based in Thundersley, by the Stanley Sanger Trust and the Variety Club.
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24 Apr 2008 - Mobility help is on offer
Do you need a new wheelchair for your child - and can’t afford the cost? The Variety Club might be able to help.
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24 Apr 2008 - Teamwork helps Bury firms scoop honours
Two enterprising Bury companies certainly made a big meal of it when they scooped triple honours at the Business for Breakfast (B4B) annual awards dinner.
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21 Apr 2008 - Freddie's Starr of the show
Legendary entertainer, Freddie Starr is to be the latest recipient of a prestigious Variety Club tribute, to celebrate his 50 years in the world of showbiz.
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18 Apr 2008 - Pedalling pensioner to set off for Paris
A pedalling pensioner is preparing to get on his bike to raise funds for disabled and disadvantaged children. John Tunstall from Weybridge will embark on a gruelling 200-mile cycle ride from London to Paris in aid of the Variety Club Children’s Charity.
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17 Apr 2008 - Special gig to help little Amber
The best "young" band to play at the Evening News Golden Years gigs were Cloud Nine - and now the original quartet are reforming for a very special gig. The whole idea is to have a great time and help a little girl take her first steps.
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17 Apr 2008 - Profile on Bill Duncan
While he has the ability to remain absolutely deadpan, there is always more than just the trace of a mischievous twinkle in Bill Duncan’s eye. The subject for this week's profile is a man who has been entertaining with his own brand of magic, DJ gigs, radio, stage and TV presenting since 1981.
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17 Apr 2008 - Marathon runners boost charities
Among the Masai warriors, knitting grandmas, running rhinos and serious competitors were a sprinkling of local runners pounding the capital's streets on Sunday. As always the Flora London Marathon threw up a range of inspiring stories focussing on the good causes people were raising money for as well as the runners themselves many of whom had their own moving tales to tell.
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17 Apr 2008 - Fundraisers add sunshine
Fundraising by T-Mobile staff has made it possible for a new minibus to be donated to children with special needs. Families who use children’s charity NCH Cymru’s Caerphilly Children’s Centre enjoyed the official unveiling of the Variety Club Sunshine Coach, which has been presented to the centre thanks to a £19,000 contribution from The Variety Club, alongside £10,000 of local fundraising.
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16 Apr 2008 - Variety's Easy Riders Team Supports Marcus On Road To Independence
2008 is the twentieth anniversary of Variety Club's Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids Programme. The children's charity is urging more disabled children and their families to apply for wheelchairs. Fourteen year old Marcus from Buckinghamshire, is the proud owner of a new wheelchair from the Variety Club Children's Charity.
The Variety Club spoke to Mix 107 FM:
Listen to the audio clip (3.3Mb Mp3 format)
11 Apr 2008 - Chocolate eggs for Valley Road Community Primary School
The children really enjoyed the eggs and were very impressed that Mr Jim Cleghorn, a representative from the Variety Club, just turned up at school and gave us the eggs for no apparent reason other than thoughtfulness and generosity. What a great message for children!
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10 Apr 2008 - Children will benefit from sweet thought
Nestle staff at Halifax are used to hitting targets. But they excelled themselves this year by helping colleagues across the UK raise enough cash to buy six Sunshine coaches for children's charities. And a gala dinner recently raised an additional £28,000.
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09 Apr 2008 - C'MERE, THERE'S MORE
The Best of British Variety Tour 2008, presented by Tony Denton Promotions, brings together the cream of variety entertainment from past decades and heads to Plymouth Pavilions later this year.
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01 Apr 2008 - Great Acts Who Never Went Away
The Best Of British Variety Tour 2008 brings six familiar names to Plymouth's Pavilions in September for an evening of entertainment harking back to the good old days.
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26 Mar 2008 - Tarrant to host ITV Beadle tribute
ITV1 is to pay tribute to Jeremy Beadle in a 60-minute programme hosted by Chris Tarrant. Called An Audience Without Jeremy Beadle, the programme is being made by Talent Television and will take a look at Beadle’s career on shows such as Game for a Laugh and Beadle’s About.
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25 Mar 2008 - Cash needed for vital schoool bus
A Monmouth school for disabled children needs to raise £3,000 to keep its new minibus on the road. Overmonnow Special Needs Unit opened in 1991and has 24 children who are deaf, blind, autistic or have severe learning difficulties.
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25 Mar 2008 - Peter's on-stage suprise
Funnyman Peter Kay battled through the pain barrier to play his part in an impromptu theatre appearance in Manchester. The Bolton comedian surprised everyone - especially his friend, For The Love Of Mrs Brown star Brendan O'Carroll - when he appeared on stage for the hit show's big finale, dressed as a male gigolo and sporting a posing pouch.
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22 Mar 2008 - New charity challenge for fund-raiser Julie
A mother who raised £50,000 for the Grace House Hospice Appeal in memory of her dead son has announced her latest challenge. Julie Reay, 43, of Roker Avenue, set up the Peter David Lane Trust Fund, to keep her son's memory alive after he died in a rope swing accident aged 13.
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20 Mar 2008 - Egg run is no yoke for bikers
A band of bikers egg-celerated to Tadley to pick up some Easter treats. The Thames Vale Vultures, who meet every week at the Flowing Spring pub near Sonning Common, will be leave Tilehurst tomorrow to take part in the annual Berkshire Egg Run.
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19 Mar 2008 - Bikers ride in to claim pupils' egg donations
Bikers descended on a Basingstoke infant school to collect Easter eggs for charity. In total, 12 motorcyclists, dressed in full leathers, attended Kings Furlong Infant School, in Chestnut Drive, on behalf of the Variety Club in Reading, to collect eggs the children had brought in from home.
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10 Mar 2008 - Hundreds of People Pay Tribute to Graham Wilkes
Tributes have poured in for Graham Wilkes, father of Potteries entertainer Jonathan, and a well known entrepreneur, entertainer and toastmaster.
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08 Mar 2008 - David Barnes
As Barney the Clown, David Barnes made 50 or more appearances before the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh and most other members of the Royal Family.
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07 Mar 2008 - Graham Wilkes Dies
Potteries-born entertainer Jonathan Wilkes and his family are in mourning today following the sudden death of his father Graham.
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06 Mar 2008 - What A Cracker: Frank's Auction Offering
Guests at a charity lunch will have the chance to win a round of golf and dinner with comedian Frank Carson.The comedian has put up the prize for auction at the Variety Club South West lunch, which will also feature a Rod Stewart tribute.
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29 Feb 2008 - Children's charity takes leading role at property awards
Part of the Queen's Hotel in Leeds was transformed into a glamorous 'Bollywood' film set for this year's Residential Prop Awards (Resi Prop Awards). The event raised £70,000 for the Yorkshire Region of the Variety Club Children's Charity, which is dedicated to making a difference to the lives of disadvantaged and disabled children.
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29 Feb 2008 - Freeview: KK Spreads A Little Sunshine
Newcastle United manager Kevin Keegan was this week on hand to present North East schoolchildren with the keys to their new Variety Club Sunshine coach.
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27 Feb 2008 - Why young alex is now walking tall
Most football fans are well acquainted with the feelings of disappointment and despondency. But for 13-year-old Chelsea fan Alex Stabler, those feelings would crop up on a regular basis on his trips to Stamford Bridge, when his season ticket confined him to a spot behind advertising hoardings where he couldn't see his heroes in action.
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26 Feb 2008 - 60 years of helping disabled children
IF you go to the cinema, check out my trailer for the Variety Club Children's Charity. For nearly 60 years this charity has supported sick, disabled and disadvantaged children in the UK.
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25 Feb 2008 - Centaur to hold regatta in AugustCentaur to hold regatta in August
Mortgage Strategy's parent company Centaur Media is launching a regatta, tipped to be one of the corporate events of the year for entertaining clients and team building. The regatta, scheduled for the Solent on August 21 and 22, will challenge teams of eight to compete for the Financial Challenge Cup whileraising funds for Variety Club Children's Charity.
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22 Feb 2008 - Innovation is a necessity not an option says Alumet
Southam based Alumet Systems flew the flag for the construction industry at the International Convention Centre when they collected the Variety Club Business Innovator of the Year award from Angela Rippon.
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22 Feb 2008 - Man who helped Peugeot workers gets award
Dr Brian Woods-Scawen, who received a CBE in the New Year Honours for services to business and the community in the West Midlands, received the award from the Variety Club of Great Britain at a ceremony at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham attended by hundreds of guests.
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20 Feb 2008 - Fancy dinner with Joe?
Entertainer Joe Longthorne has a hectic year ahead. For as well as embarking on a mammoth 43-date UK tour from next month, he's also set aside three nights to star at special cabaret dinners in Manchester.
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19 Feb 2008 - Help Variety Club To Help Children
For more than 50 years, The Variety Club Children's Charity has supported sick, disabled and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
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18 Feb 2008 - Star shines for Sunshine Centre
It might be called the Sunshine Centre, but it was a star who was the centre of attention when the Variety Club came to visit on Friday (15 February). Former Blue singer - and now solo artist - Simon Webbe was at the club for children with special needs in Civic Square, Tilbury, to hand over a specially adapted £45,000 Variety Club minibus with an easy-to-use tail lift.
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15 Feb 2008 - Ricky Gervais Movie Trailer To Support Variety Club Children's Charity Throughout The UK
From 15th February 2008, Ricky Gervais, star of The Office and Extras is to appear in a cinema trailer for The Variety Club Children's Charity.
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15 Feb 2008 - Ricky Gervais Backs Children's Charity
Comedian Ricky Gervais is to appear with some "cheeky" pupils from a north London school in a cinema trailer to support a children's charity. The Office and Extras star can be seen in the Variety Club's ad from today, alongside pupils from The Bridge School in Islington.
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15 Feb 2008 - Prizm Is 'Small Business Of The Year'
A Tamworth firm has been declared Midlands Small Business of the Year 2008 at a prestigious awards ceremony after only 12 months in operation. Prizm Solutions Ltd, an insurance provider for businesses based in Fazeley, received the honour at the 21st Variety Club Midlands Awards held at Birmingham's International Convention Centre recently.
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14 Feb 2008 - New Broker Wins Award
Start-up broker Prizm Solutions has been named Midlands small business of the year 2008 after only 12 months of trading. The prestigious award was presented to the Layton Blackham Business Solutions partner at Birmingham's International Convention Centre during the 21st Variety Club Midlands Business Awards last month.
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13 Feb 2008 - Champneys aids Variety Club to present new Sunshine Coach
On February 15th 2008 make sure you wear your sunglasses because Champneys and The Variety Club will present staff and pupils at the Sunshine Centre, Tilbury, Essex with the keys to a brand new IVECO Variety Club Sunshine Coach.
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13 Feb 2008 - Round-up of the latest fundraising campaigns
The Variety Club Children's Charity is hosting its 17th Gold Heart day on 14 February to raise money for disadvantaged, sick and disabled children. Gold heart badges will go on sale at £1 each. The event has raised £30m to date.
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12 Feb 2008 - Ricky Gervais Movie Trailer To Support Variety Club Children's Charity Throughout The UK
From 15th February 2008, Ricky Gervais, star of The Office & Extras is to appear in a cinema trailer for The Variety Club Children’s Charity. The trailer will be screened at ODEON, Cineworld, Curzon Cinemas, Empire Cinemas, Picture House, The Screens and Vue Cinemas.
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12 Feb 2008 - Supporting Variety Club
Variety Club provides support to children by providing IVECO Sunshine Coaches to schools with disabled pupils, children's hospitals and hospices and to many other types of organisations. 101 coaches were provided throughout 2007.
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12 Feb 2008 - Crown Bingo donates to children's charity
The North-East's favourite online bingo site, Crown Bingo, is 'showing the love' this Valentine's Day by donating 50% of their prize pool to the North East Variety Club's Children's Charity.
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08 Feb 2008 - Bikers In Charity Appeal Ahead Of Easter Egg Run
More than 100 motorcyclists will ride in formation through Reading on Good Friday to deliver Easter eggs in aid of a charity that helps sick, disabled and disadvantaged children across the UK. The kind-hearted bikers from the Thames Vale Vultures Motorcycle Club hope to collect around 1,000 eggs and £2,000 for the Variety Club.
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06 Feb 2008 - Awards To Honour Welsh Property Professionals
People in Property: Props Awards Wales 2007, in association with the Variety Club children’s charity, will be held at a luncheon event at Cardiff City Hall and will feature eight categories, along with a lifetime achievement award.
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31 Jan 2008 - Small Broker Named Midland's Finest
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30 Jan 2008 - Paper Round
A Lancashire shoe recycling bin belonging to the Variety Club has been ransacked and tipped over, and is now being used as a drinking den by local alcoholics.
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28 Jan 2008 - New Wheelchair Lets Jake Get On The Ball
A young wheelchair-bound football fan is getting a real kick out of life again thanks to the help of a charity. Jake Hill, 12, was given a new hi-tech £5,000 electric wheelchair to replace his old manual chair by the Variety Club after his school contacted the club for help.
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23 Jan 2008 - Exclusive First Screening At Odeon Rochdale In Aid Of Charity
Odeon Rochdale has announced an exclusive first screening of this year’s hottest Valentines romantic comedy, Definitely, Maybe, offering film fans the chance to see the film before anyone else and also support a charity - all proceeds going straight to The Variety Club.
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21 Jan 2008 - JPMorgan Teams Up With Variety Club To Support Children’s Unit
A generous donation from JPMorgan and the Variety Club means young patients in Poole Hospital’s children’s unit will benefit from new equipment to administer medical fluids steadily and safely.
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21 Jan 2008 - Charity Skip Used As Drinking Den
Vandals have tipped over a Variety Club Children's Charity shoe recycling bin in Morecambe's Winter Gardens car park and it is now being used as a drinking shelter by alcoholics.
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14 Jan 2008 - Kaphan Makes A Noise At Variety Club
Children's charity Variety Club has appointed Norman Kaphan as its new chief barker - its equivalent of a chief executive. The post is taken by a different person each year.
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08 Jan 2008 - Technicians Pose For Cheeky Calendar
A theatre technician from Winchester has posed in a cheeky calendar to help raise money for Variety Club Children's Charity.
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08 Nov 2007 - Video: Heartless vandals rob disabled children of bus
A SHOWBIZ charity has vowed to step in and save Christmas for more than 80 vulnerable children with difficulties after their school bus was attacked by vandals.
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