From the office of Variety children's charity

BLAKE'S BIG SPLASH WITH VARIETY

Six-year-old Blake was wide-eyed as he explored a luxury Maritimo flybridge boat with Merv Hughes recently.

The vessel is one of dozens soon to participate in the Variety Splash (28 February to 1
March), a fundraising event for Variety, the children’s charity. Event organisers hope it will raise over $150,000 for Special Needs Children.

Water-lover Blake was one of the first to get a sneak preview of the new Maritimo at
Aussie Boat Sales in Williamstown, which is donating the use of several boats to the Variety Splash. Also checking out the boat were Variety Splash entrant John Zammit, Blake’s brother Charles and mother Michelle.

Like many Australian children, Blake has received assistance from Variety, the children’s
charity. While Blake is a bright little boy, communication is difficult for him. Due to Cerebral Palsy, he is unable to control his body well enough to walk or talk and also has moderate to severe hearing loss.

However, Blake will soon have a real ‘voice’, just in time for starting Prep. Using a Dynavox machine funded by Variety, Blake will be able to program sentences, which are then ‘read out’ by a synthesised voice. This means Blake will be able to chat with his
classmates, teachers and carers.

Blake’s mother estimates it can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year to provide Blake
with the equipment and therapy he needs to get the most out of life.

“Some of his requirements are government-funded, but not all,” Michelle said.
“Variety is opening the doors of the world to Blake… it sounds simple, but a voice is so
important – the ability to communicate is at the core of the human spirit.”

It is not just equipment that Variety provides, however…

“Knowing that there are people who care really lightens our hearts,” Michelle said.

“Events like the Variety Splash let us know that the community supports children like
Blake with special needs.”

(Pictured: Blake was all smiles with Merv Hughes and Variety Splash entrant John Zammit onboard a luxury cruiser at Aussie Boat Sales recently. The Variety Splash – a fundraising boat rally to be held on Port Phillip Bay, 28 February to 1 March – is expected to raise around $150,000 for Special Needs Children.)

Further information:
LeisureCorp – (03) 9642 1227 or visit: www.varietysplash.org.au