Variety – the Children’s Charity has awarded almost $300,000 in scholarships enabling 78 children across NSW and the ACT to pursue their sporting and artistic dreams.

Variety Heart Scholarships support children with an existing talent while living with disabilities, chronic illness or financial hardship.

The 2021 Scholarship round was a record for Variety with 78 scholarships awarded, valued at a total of $299,341.

Variety CEO Vanessa Barry said she was delighted for the kids – ranging in ages from 7 to 18 – who are incredibly accomplished across a diverse range of endeavours.

“From ice skating and alpine skiing to violin, cello and dance, these clever and capable young people are carving out some really interesting and incredible paths to extraordinary success,” she said.

“It is truly inspiring to see what these passionate and determined kids have already achieved at such young ages and we can’t wait to see what comes next for each of them.”

In praising the youngsters, Vanessa also acknowledged the contributions made by the adults in the children’s lives.

“So many adults spend their weekends attending competitions, getting kids to lessons and cheering them on from the sidelines,” she said.

“We believe it takes a village to raise a child and we are proud to stand with these adults in supporting these 78 talented young people.”

Vanessa said Variety has given the children the helping hand they need to focus on their goals, without worrying about the costs involved in achieving them.

“We all know how expensive extra-curricular activities can be – whether its uniforms, the cost of travel or tuition – as well the costs of treatment involved for those children who are living with a serious illness or disability,” she said.

“Variety is passionate about giving kids a fair go and our scholarships program is just one of the ways in which we are working to ensure that all children are able to attain their full potential, regardless of their background.”

“We are just really happy to be helping to remove some of the obstacles that may be standing in the way of these amazing children and to support them on their journey from their hometown to the world stage.”

Variety Heart Scholarships are made possible thanks to the generous support of presenting partners, the Grahame Mapp Family Foundation in honour of the late Gillian Mapp.

2021 Variety Heart Scholarship Recipients

Lourdes Antenor

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Lourdes Antenor is an experienced writer who specialises in the not-for-profit sector and its affiliations. She is the content producer for Third Sector News, an online knowledge-based platform for and about the Australian NFP sector.

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