The Devon Ability Counts League is to benefit over the next two years from funding from Tulip Ltd and Variety, the Children’s Charity.

Variety, the Children’s Charity, provides practical solutions to allow children and young people throughout the UK who are sick, disabled or disadvantaged to reach their full potential. This is achieved by providing Variety Sunshine Coaches, wheelchairs and mobility aids, grants for youth clubs, as well as creating memorable childhood experiences in the Variety at Work scheme.

Thanks to the fantastic fundraising efforts across Tulip Ltd, a cheque was presented for £4,000 to the Devon Ability Counts League representatives at Exeter City’s Children’s Disability Football Day on Wednesday 8th August at St Luke’s Science and Sports College.

Kirsty Wilkins, Group HR Director at Tulip Ltd, said: “Tulip is absolutely delighted to see funds raised for Variety, the Children’s Charity, used to support Devon’s Disability Football League, especially as an ex-member of the Bodmin staff, Bernard Leach is involved with the league. Our colleagues from all over the UK have been taking part in a whole host of exciting fundraising events as diverse as a ‘Beat the Ferry’ rowing competition, skydiving and a cycling marathon, in a bid to help raise the much-needed funds Variety requires to carry out its good work.”

The Devon Ability Counts League is a series of football events for disabled players across the county, catering for male and female players aged eight and upwards to participate in games at central venues. These events include a number of outdoor football festivals involving hundreds of players playing simultaneously across many pitches. The league also organises wheelchair football events, which is an adapted version of the game using larger footballs.

Dai Carpenter, Disability Football Development Officer for Devon County FA commented: “Each year these football events support hundreds of disabled players throughout Devon and thanks to the generous support of Variety, the Children’s Charity, and Tulip Ltd, the Ability Counts League has a secure future.”

Teams from all sites within Tulip Ltd, including Bodmin, Bugle and Redruth, raised over £76,000 last year and are continuing to raise funds for the charity throughout 2012.

Variety is also very proud to support disability sport at all levels and through a partnership with SportsAid, the charity for Sportspeople, has provided funding for 55 young disabled athletes including 17 who have been called up to the Team GB Paralympic squad.

To find out more about Variety, the Children’s Charity, please visit: www.variety.org.uk or follow our social media streams:

Twitter: @VarietyGB Facebook: www.facebook.com/VarietyGB