Variety Scholarship Applications Closing Soon

For immediate release
17th March 2010

Variety Scholarship Applications Closing Soon

Less than two weeks remain for talented Kiwi kids to apply for a Gold Heart Scholarship from Variety – The Children’s Charity to help them reach their lifelong dreams in education, music, art, and sport.

Applications close on March 31 for the programme which provides talented Kiwi kids who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged with $5,000 and matches them with a mentor to assist them to reach their goals.

“CMC Markets has once again generously funded six educational scholarships and we look forward to receiving applications from young Kiwis aged up to 18 who are interested in pursuing dreams in the education field, as well as in the fields of music, art and sport,” said Variety CEO Lorraine Taylor.

“Over the past three years, we have funded 50 scholarships for Kiwi kids and are proud to have assisted Paralympic World Record holder, Rebecca Dubber in her swimming success over the last two years,” said Ms Taylor.

16 year old Rebecca, who has limited use of her lower limbs, set an unofficial Paralympic world record in the 800m freestyle class S7 at the Mayfair Pools National Age Group Championships – her record will be confirmed following the results of compulsory drug testing.

Her time of 11:21.06 was well inside the current world record time of 11:36.43 and she was wearing a swimsuit bought with her funds from the Variety Scholarship.

She has also represented New Zealand at the Paralympic World Championships and is ranked fourth in the world in the 100m backstroke.

At the New Zealand Paralympic Championships in November 2009, she won three gold, two silver and one bronze medal and was awarded the accolade of the Best Swimmer, Future Paralympian and Best Junior Swimmer.

“Rebecca is just one of the inspirational recipients Variety has assisted in fields as varied as swimming, piano and psychology – regardless of the field or the adversity they have overcome, the common theme with these children is their outstanding talent and determination to reach their dreams,” continued Ms Taylor.

“Each scholarship recipient is assigned a leading professional or celebrity mentor to encourage and support them throughout the year. Mentors this year include cricketer Shane Bond, Olympic swimmers Liz Coster, Helen Norfolk and Dean Kent, and former NZ champion athlete turned TV presenter Jayne Kiely.

The Variety Gold Heart Scholarship fund makes available a maximum of $5,000 per annum for up to three years to help children with special needs fulfill their dreams. This could include assisting with tuition fees, personal development, coaching, and the purchase of training equipment, travel or accommodation.

Applications for the 2010 Variety Gold Heart Scholarship programme close on March 31, 2010.

For further information or to download an application form, please go to www.variety.org.nz

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