Variety adds spice to teen's life

Josephine Gillespie | 3rd June 2009

HELPING needy local families one donation at a time, the inaugural River 94.9 Variety Friday appeal will be held on Friday.

ALL EARS: All Fyfe from River 94.9 with Steve Peters and his 14-year-old daughter Chantelle who will benefit from the station's Variety Friday appeal.

Queensland Times

HELPING needy local families one donation at a time, the inaugural River 94.9 Variety Friday appeal will be held on Friday.

Among the beneficiaries is 14-year-old Chantelle Peters, whose cerebral palsy makes it difficult for her to get around.

Mum Kayleen said the family was working through the Variety Queensland to get the Ipswich Special School student a walking frame.

“It is very important for her. She can't walk long distances without falling over,” Mrs Peters said.

“She has pretty bad balance. The walking frame would make it a lot easier for her.”

Father Steve Peters said the family had done it tough, with his wife also battling diabetes and a visual impairment and his daughter undergoing numerous operations.

The teenager is also likely to require another operation on her knee later in the year.

Mr Peters said the walker's $1800 price tag put it out of reach.

“The appeal is a huge help. Things are so dear,” he said.

“The equipment is so expensive, but it does give people with disabilities a better quality of life.”

River 94.9 general manager David Greenwood said the aim was to ensure the children's charity could meet the needs of local sick or disabled children.

“We know Variety have helped make a difference to the lives of a lot of local children in the past but they have urgent requests for help every month,” Mr Greenwood said.

“Variety Friday is a great way the community and River 94.9 can work together and provide life-changing equipment.”

The appeal is also supported by the Ipswich City Council, Channel Nine and The Queensland Times.

Mr Greenwood said from 5am, the station would open its phone lines, with a variety of goods auctioned off throughout the day.

To donate contact Variety on 3367 6999 or online at www.varietyqld.org.au.