Woolworths in South Australia (SA) and the Northern Territory (NT) has been awarded the prestigious 2019 Variety International Corporate Award, presented at the recent Variety International World Conference in Quebec, Canada.

The Variety International Award celebrates the invaluable contribution made by corporate sponsors and partners for assisting children around the world, and Variety SA nominated Woolworths SA and NT for their ongoing support.

The partnership between Woolworths SA and NT and Variety began in 2016, with over $800,000 raised to date, including hundreds of volunteered hours by Woolworths team members at Variety events, giving away free fruit to Variety Bash drivers.

As part of this ongoing effort, Woolworths SA recently presented a cheque for more than $176,000 to Variety SA, which was raised between June 2018 and April 2019 across South Australian stores.

Woolworths stores across SA and the NT raised the much needed funds for Variety SA and NT through raffles, community BBQs, in-store breakfasts and lunches.

Funds will help support thousands of local children and families who are facing challenges through sickness, disadvantage and disabilities, including local schools Disability Units, Down Syndrome SA and young Leylah. Leylah is a three-year-old Adelaide girl who lives with a range of disabilities and struggles with significant feeding difficulties.

Variety SA CEO, Mark McGill was delighted that Woolworths SA and NT had been recognised with the award.

“Variety SA is proud to present Woolworths with the corporate award from Variety International for their enormous contribution to helping kids who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs in SA and NT. On behalf of all kids and their families throughout SA and NT who this will benefit, we offer a sincere thank you,” McGill said.

The Woolworths team have worked closely with Variety, presenting fresh food stalls, volunteering at the Variety Kids’ parties and on the Variety Bash events.

“We are so proud that we are able to continue providing support to the children and families that Variety support. We are absolutely thrilled that the efforts from our stores across the states have been recognised with the Variety International Corporate Award, and we couldn’t have done it without our local communities help and ongoing support,” Woolworths SA and NT State General Manager, Karl Weber said.

“This dedication and support of our team, and the generosity of our customers, means we can really make a difference in the community,” he said.

Established in 1937, the Variety International World Conference unites donors, supporters, boards and other volunteers, sponsors and professional employees.