Variety brings the spice of life to kids young and old

Hippies, policemen, firemen, Scooby Doo, Ronald McDonald, and a magician entertained more than 150 school children at Ohakea.

As part of Variety children's charity bash, 50 quirky vehicles with more than 250 participants travelling from Christchurch to Auckland stopped in at 11 schools in Palmerston North and Marton yesterday, with a quick break for lunch at the airbase.

A record number of participants came from as far as Australia, to join in the bash in its 20th year.

On its eighth day on the road, Bulls, Clifton, and Sanson primary school students who travelled to Ohakea, got the chance to check out the decorated vehicles and some of the air force's aircrafts.

Children got inside the crazy convoy of old cars and fire engines, and were given lollies, hats, and other treats.

Since Variety began in 1989, it has distributed more than $11.7 million to New Zealand children in need, and the goal for this year's bash is to raise $500,000.

Six men have participated in all 20 bashes over the years, and Graeme Knight is one of them.

"I got dragged into it willingly 20 years ago now. I do it to put a smile on children's faces," Mr Knight said.

For the past three years he has driven the car towing the liberty swing – a swing for children in wheelchairs.

"Putting a child on the swing and watching his or her face light up is extraordinary."

Dave Shorter has also been with the bash since it began.

"I've been driving the 1960 fire truck. It's sponsored by Panasonic so we have a flat screen TV, coffee machine, sound speakers, and a karaoke machine," he said. "It's definitely the party bus."

During the week-long journey, Variety will distribute more than $230,000 in grants to sick, disabled, and disadvantaged children – often items not funded by other organisations.

- © Fairfax NZ News