New bike puts smile on friends' faces
NEW WHEELS: Ohai Kereopa with Variety ambassador Mark Wright and his good friend Lachlan Fisher. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 261114WCSMBIKES1
Ohai Kereopa is delighted with his shiny, new red bike and equally pleased with his friend Lachlan Fisher who nominated him to receive it from Variety children's charity.
The Kaitoke School pupil said his friend Lachlan "dominated" him for the award.
Variety communications manager Miriam Shaw said it was the first time a child had nominated another for a bicycle.
"Ohai's bike got stolen and I knew he needed a new one" said Lachlan, 8. "My nana was reading out the ad about Variety bikes in the paper to my mum and I asked if I could nominate Ohai."
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.Ohai, 7, was one of 42 children presented with bikes by Variety ambassador Mark Wright at Keith St School yesterday.
Actor and comedian Wright has worked with the Variety charity for 19 years and says he is mainly working in the corporate world these days.
"I still do a bit of acting - I appeared in an episode of Nothing Trivial and I'm working on the remake of Terry and the Gun Runners."
Wright has appeared in numerous television series but is perhaps best known for the characters he portrayed in Oddfellows ads of the 1990s.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.In 2007 he received a Presidential Citation for 10 years of service to Variety and is employed by companies as an entertainer, MC and public speaking coach.
The annual Bikes for Kids Tour is part of the Variety Kids on the Move programme, which provides funding for mobility and other equipment that improves a child's quality of life, physical well-being, peer involvement and confidence.
"Riding a bike is a child's prerogative - something that provides them with a sense of independence," he said.
"However, for many Kiwi kids certain circumstances mean they miss out.
Variety chief executive Lorraine Taylor said: "We are encouraging teachers, parents, caregivers, friends and grandparents to nominate a child aged between 7 and 9 from these areas to receive a brand new bike and helmet.
"Every child should be able to experience the thrill of having their very own bike,"she said.
