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Variety the Children's Charity is described as 'the heart of show business' as it was founded by a group of theatre owners and show men in Pittsburgh USA in 1927.
The group would get together after performances and have a social gathering with what became known as the 'Variety Club'.
In 1928 on Christmas Eve a baby girl was abandoned at the Sheridan Theatre in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania with a note attached to her clothing.
The note read,
“Please take care of my baby, her name is Catherine I can no longer take care of her. I have eight others. My husband is out of work and she was born on Thanksgiving Day. I have always heard of the goodness of show business people and pray to God that you will look after her."
Signed “a heart broken mother”
The theatre show men named the baby, Catherine Variety Sheridan. A police search was undertaken but they could not find her mother.
The showmen set about raising money to buy baby Catherine what was needed for her care and this philosophy of providing goods and services rather than money remains part of the Variety charter today.
Catherine’s story was an inspiration, and now Variety the Children's Charity operates in 14 countries with 50 offices worldwide.
Variety has kept the theatrical theme naming the offices 'Tents', the Chairman 'Chief Barker' and Directors 'Barkers'.
In 1975 Lord Louis Mountbatten brought Variety to Australia and Mr Paul Hogan was our first Chairman.
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