Ladies of Variety (LOV) brighten the day for disadvantaged children
A ‘rowdy’ bunch of children were recently running around Port Lincoln thanks to the efforts of Ladies of Variety (LOV) who brought 60 disadvantaged children to Port Lincoln for the day.
Ladies of Variety is a group of business women who work on fundraising events with Variety SA to bring a smile to children who are sick, disadvantaged or have special needs. They run lots of smaller events, but have embarked on a bigger journey and recently proved they are on the right track.
Jenny Hurley, Diana Williams and Sarah Ricciuto from the Port Lincoln Hotel were the LOV organisers and with the help of local Variety volunteers Sandra Lukin and Deb Sampson, Adventure Bay Charters and Glen Forest Tourist Park– despite a small shower of rain – the day went without a hitch.
With their fundraising efforts and the generosity of Cobham Aviation Services, LOV chartered a plane from Adelaide to Port Lincoln, setting off at 9am for a day full of adventure.
They were met by Tunarama buses and split into two groups, with one heading to meet Matt Waller from Adventure Bay Charters at the Marina. Accompanied by Tony Armstrong and Will Young from the Adelaide Crows, the group fed tuna and had a few fingers nibbled – but loved the opportunity to be on a boat for the first time, as well as the thrill of seeing tuna.
Glen Forest Tourist Park allowed children to see kangaroos, koalas and peacocks for the first time, while enjoying a BBQ lunch and some witnessing a baby rabbit being born!
The groups united after lunch for enormous lamingtons, we all enjoyed Frisbee throwing, beach cricket, and photos in front of Makybe Diva – then a surprise visit from Andrew McLeod and Graham Johncock made the day for many young Crows fans.
For some of these children, eating breakfast is a highlight, so when asked at the end of the day what was the best part, some burst into tears and said they just couldn’t chose. It was an incredible day where the generous people of Port Lincoln brought smiles and laughs to a special group of children.