Variety, the Children's Charity

There are currently 4.3 million children living in poverty in the UK, with 600,000 children both disabled and living in poverty. Disadvantaged and disabled children face huge inequities and exclusion including limited or no access to appropriate wheelchairs and mobility, social isolation, lower self-esteem and confidence, and reduced opportunities for physical activity and health benefits.

Variety’s programmes make an immediate and lasting difference by directly improving wellbeing and quality of life for disabled and disadvantaged children and young people. 

Through improving physical and mental health, increasing independence and mobility, and opening new opportunities and experiences, Variety’s work supports children to reach their full potential.

Variety is committed to creating lasting change for children, delivering programmes that directly improve children and young people’s health and quality of life through our wheelchair grants. The right wheelchair offers a child or young person independence, freedom to explore their environment, keep up with friends and take part in social activities and sport.

We are unique in also providing bespoke sports wheelchairs to young people across the UK to help break down barriers to accessing sport and physical activities.

Variety's specialist equipment grants provide life-changing equipment including specialist walkers, hoists, educational and adaptive play equipment, beds and specialist car seats. The right piece of specialist equipment can transform a disabled child’s life. For many families, these are vital items that make everyday life safer, easier and more accessible. 

We are honoured to be supporting this appeal for Variety, the Children’s Charity.

Variety’s support can transform a disabled child’s life. It can improve their mobility and physical and mental health, while giving them the freedom to enjoy childhood experiences and reach their full potential.

Variety directly provide manual, sports and powered wheelchairs to help children become more independent and they deliver a wide range of life-changing specialist equipment including educational and adaptive play equipment, hoists, walkers, beds and specialist car seats.

As parents, we know how important development opportunities are for children to improve educational outcomes, social connections, confidence, health and wellbeing. Variety changes lives and has a huge impact on children and families every day. 

We hope you’ll join us in supporting Variety, a charity close to our hearts helping every child to reach their full potential.

Dante was born with brittle bone disease and scoliosis of the spine. From a young age, Dante has had over 90 bones broken and needed multiple surgeries.

His standard wheelchair made everyday life difficult and increased the risk of breaking further bones. A new specialist wheelchair, costing thousands of pounds, was simply unaffordable.

In 2018, Variety funded a specially adapted lightweight wheelchair for Dante. It gave him more than comfort and mobility; it gave him freedom and the ability to engage more fully with the world around him. The new wheelchair also had a huge impact on Dante’s mental health, helping him become more active, independent and confident.

Dante commented, “If Variety didn’t exist, I feel like my life would be completely different. Variety have helped me so much, whether it comes to being more active both physically and socially, coming out of my shell.”

Diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, Jacob is a full-time wheelchair user. His condition affects his limbs and motor skills. Feeling isolated, Jacob was struggling with his mental health. Then he discovered wheelchair rugby and fell in love with the sport. But without a specialist rugby wheelchair, his potential was limited. He relied on ill-fitting club chairs, while the cost of a bespoke chair was out of reach.

Variety provided Jacob with a custom-made rugby wheelchair. It transformed his experience, giving him greater comfort and independence, while helping him find a community and improve his mental health.

Jacob commented, “The chair has made a massive impact on my life as it allows me to be involved in and play the sport I love. It gives me a sense of belonging, with a group of people who share the same challenges as me. Sports has changed my life and sport is my life.”

Mikaeel was born with paralysis in both legs and has used a wheelchair since he was two. As he grew, he used standard NHS walking frames, but they had limitations.

In 2025, Variety provided Mikaeel with a specialist walker that has transformed his confidence, independence and mobility. It enabled him to play football with his friends for the first time, rather than watching from the sidelines.

Today at six years old, Mikaeel uses his walker daily at home and at school and enjoys playing football, basketball, handball, frame running and dancing. He loves showing people what he can do with his walker.

Mikaeel’s mum, Shajeda, commented, “I will never forget when he said, "Mum, I'm going on a walk with you." The walker has given Mikaeel so much more than mobility. It has given him the confidence to take part, be included and simply enjoy being a child.”