Variety, the children's charity, visited Whittlesea Secondary College today to present 56 bikes and helmets to children who lost everything in the Black Saturday bushfires.

Nineteen members of the school community - staff and students - lost their lives in the fires, while 56 families lost their homes and all of their possessions. Over 330 of Whittlesea Secondary College's 800 students have been directly impacted by the fires.

Variety, in association with The Shane Warne Foundation, and with the assistance of many Variety Bash participants and corporate supporters has assisted many of the children and schools affected by the bushfires.

Seven months since Black Saturday, Variety has:

- Presented over 400 bikes and helmets to children;

- Donated Variety Sunshine Coaches (12-seater mini buses) to Chum Creek Primary School, Marysville Primary School, the three Kinglake Primary Schools, Wallan Secondary College (and will shortly present one to Yea High School);

- Undertaken playground makeovers at Chum Creek Primary School, Middle Kinglake Primary School and Wandong Primary School (and will assist Marysville Primary School and Strathewen Primary School in replacing their playgrounds in coming months);

- Provided children, teachers and carers with a night at Circus Oz;

- Established a scholarship in memory of Brian and Moiree Naylor, which will be awarded for the next four years to students from the five secondary schools affected by the fires;

- Provided touch-screens, software, modified tricycles, school uniforms, sporting equipment, a farm buggy and other essential equipment to children affected by the fires.

Further information: Variety, the children’s charity – (03) 8698 3900 or visit: www.varietyvic.org.au

(9 September 2009)