Michael McIntyre & Jon Culshaw to attend the Variety Club Annual Christmas lunch

The Variety Club, one of UK’s longest running charities dedicated to sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, is proud to host its Annual Christmas Lunch on Tuesday 15th December to celebrate the success of funds raised throughout 2009.  The Christmas-themed event will see comedian Michael McIntyre take to the stage to conduct the annual auction, whilst “The Soldiers” will perform their fund-raising single amid the grandiose of The Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London, W1.

The traditions of the lunch are precious to the charity and present the opportunity to thank many of the wonderful supporters and helpers, without whom the charity would not function or exist. Celebrities toasting the success of The Variety Club’s fundraising include Joe McGann, John Partridge, Michelle Collins and Vanessa Feltz, who will take part in bidding for the fabulous prizes donated by British Airways, BMW, Jonathan Ross and Cameron Mackintosh. Prizes include ‘A Royal Night Out’, a child’s BMW pedal car, a diamond necklace and VIP tickets to see Friday Night with Jonathan Ross.

Other notable announcements being made at the event include British impressionist and comedian Jon Culshaw receiving his ambassadorship for the charity, overseeing the responsibility of celebrity spokesperson and representing the ongoing work The Variety Club undertakes throughout the UK to help support disabled and disadvantaged children and young people.

Charity partners Richard Balfour-Lynn’s Alternative Hotel Group (AHG) and Marylebone Warwick Balfour (MWB) will present The Variety Club with a cheque of £300,000 raised in just five months, highlighting how charities, through corporate partnerships, are prospering despite the current economic climate.

The Variety Club will also announce its new Chief Barker, Paul Lawrence, to oversee the charity’s fundraising activity moving forward for 2010. During 2009 many Barkers, the supporters and the permanent staff of the charity have worked tirelessly to perpetuate Variety Club’s renowned work for sick, disabled and disadvantaged children and young people, with monies and resources raised in the UK being allocated in the UK. Due to the tremendous help from individuals, companies and their employees, this work will continue to expand throughout 2010, under the new Chief Barker’s leadership.

Paul Lawrence, new Chief Barker for The Variety Club comments, “The Variety Club Children’s Charity is unique within the UK.  For 60 years, using a mix of celebrity supporters, a massive network of volunteers, the dedication of a small team of staff and the tremendous support of individuals and companies, we have helped sick, disabled and disadvantaged children lead independent, rich and fulfilling lives.

 We recognise that 2010 will be a challenging year but our new relationship with the AHG/MWB Groups which include Liberty of London, Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin, the De Vere and Village Hotel chains has the potential to raise millions for the Variety Club. We are also looking forward to benefiting from the support of thousands of employees of the Co-operative Group.

We have lots of exciting things planned for next year including the presentation of the 5000th Sunshine Coach.”

Celebrating its Diamond Jubilee this year, The Variety Club has raised over £200 million and improved the lives of more than a million children and young people since its inception. Among its tireless work, the charity provides Sunshine Coaches, Easy Riders electric wheelchairs, exciting and educational trips, equipment for children’s hospitals and life enhancing equipment.