Who We Are
Unlike many other charities, Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland has no paid directors or board members, thus ensuring that vital money raised goes directly to helping children. This way we can supply services, equipment and support to children across the whole of Ireland through our fundraising and donations given to our charity.
Our Patron
Simon Delaney
In December 2012 Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland announced Simon Delaney as our Patron.
A renowned actor both here and Internationally, Simon is a well known face on stage and screen. Simon’s TV acting credits include Bachelor’s Walk, Roy, The Good Wife, Moone Boy, The Fall and more recently he even popped up on Coronation Street and Emmerdale!
Simon is also a regular presenter on Ireland:am. On the big screen he has appeared alongside Sean Penn in This Must Be The Place and with Vince Vaughn in The Delivery Man, as well as roles in Alan Partridge and The Conjuring 2.
We are so delighted to have Simon as part of our team!
Our Ambassadors
Saoírse Ruane
In July 2021, Variety Ireland were thrilled to be able to welcome Saoírse on to our team, as our first ever Child Ambassador!
Since being diagnosed with a life threatening tumour, to which she lost her right leg, Saoírse continues to prove and act as an inspirational 9 year old. Following a year of intense chemo, Saoírse is not only back walking, but is also cycling, playing camogie and is even learning how to swim!
Many of you you will know Saoírse from her appearance on the Late Late Toy Show in 2020, where she showed everyone how she has learned to overcome the loss of her leg. She is very proud to be the inspiration behind the first ever Toy Show Appeal on the Late Late Show, where an amazing €6.6m euro was raised for various charities around Ireland. Truly amazing!
Pamela Uba
Throughout her life, Pamela Uba has used her voice to inspire others. From becoming a frontline worker in the University Hospital Galway working as a medical scientist, to obtaining her masters degree in clinical chemistry at Trinity College Dublin. She now uses her voice to advocate for equal educational opportunities for migrant children.
As Miss Ireland 2021, she has lived by her mission to educate and empower through her Make Education a Superpower campaign.
Since 2020, Pamela has spent many many hours working tirelessly as a volunteer for Variety Ireland, with a special focus on equal access to education for all. We are delighted to have Pamela as our newest Ambassador!
Our Board
Derek O’Neill
Director & CEO
Derek O’Neill is an Internationally acclaimed psychotherapist, motivational speaker, author, martial arts sensei and humanitarian. Derek has been involved with Variety in both Ireland and Internationally for many years, and has previously served on the Variety International board…
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…Derek inspires and uplifts people from all walks of life. In 2012, Derek was honoured as International Humanitarian of the Year by Variety International the Children’s Charity and many other humanitarian awards followed. CEO of many companies and founder of Creacon Wellness Retreat Centre in Wexford, Ireland, Derek continues to be of service to all walks of life in many facets of society.
Paul O’Neill
Director & Company Secretary
Paul O’Neill joined the board of Variety Ireland in January 2020, having previously served on the board of the A&C Foundation for two years and worked on dozens of fundraising projects with various Irish and international charities.
Paul has built an extensive network of business contacts…
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…through his time as head of commercial, marketing and account management with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. He has qualifications in marketing, business management and project management and has built a knowledge around GDPR and best business practice for database management, as both a data protection officer and a project manager.
Marianne Garvey-McMahon
Director
Marianne Garvey-McMahon was appointed to the Board of the Variety Ireland in October 2020. Marianne brings a wealth of personal and professional knowledge of Intellectual disability, Regulation, Law and policy. Marianne is graduate of the National University of Ireland, Royal College of Surgeons…
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…in Ireland, Leeds University, and Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital. Marianne is Currently a Disability Advocate, Board Director, Assoc. Med-Legal Society. Independent Consultant and has twenty years experience advocating for Autism and severe Intellectual disability with experience in compliance in relation to safe delivery to our most vulnerable cohort of people with Intellectual disability. Professional Qualifications: MSc. Law, MSc. Ethics, Fellow FFNMRCSI, BSc. (Healthcare Mgt.), HDip. Nursing, RGN, Hdip. (Psychology), HDip, (Counselling), Dip (ICC), Clinical Associate (Hon)FNMRCSI.
Geraldine Wall
Director
Geraldine Wall joined the board of Variety Ireland in November 2020, having previously served on the State Advisory Board for Irish Aid and on the Dublin Diocesan Advisory Committees for Jubilee 2000, Eucharistic Congress 2012 and the Papal Visit 2018. Qualified in relationship counselling…
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…with Accord and experienced in project management – having worked on projects and events with Irish and international charities and travelled extensively as part of her representative role.
Sean Corrigan
Director
Sean Corrigan joined the board of Variety Ireland in January 2020 has also worked with voluntary organisations in rural communities for over 15 years and as a father of two young daughters he is a board member…
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…of their local national school. Sean has an engineering background works in communications and corporate affairs, he is currently working on environmental projects that focus on improving water quality, biodiversity and climate action. The projects that Sean has developed and implemented have been recognised nationally and internationally.
Sean Kavanagh
Treasurer
Sean Kavanagh is based in Castlemaine Co Kerry. He is a self-employed accountant who runs his own general practice. Sean has a young family, with three children aged 9, 8 and 6.
He is keenly aware of the challenges faced…
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…by families and was delighted to be asked to join Variety in the role of Treasurer.
Rachelle Gaskell
Director
Rachelle Gaskell joined the board of Variety Ireland in May 2021 and has over 15 years of Charity Volunteering Experience with Variety the Children’s Charity. She has previously served on the Variety International Board…
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… as a Director and also worked with numerous other children’s charities at a strategic level, as a fund-raiser and event organiser. A highly experienced Transformation professional, Rachelle has worked across Sales, Marketing, Operations, Technology and Training Transformation across Consumer and Investment Banking in the UK, Europe, USA and Asia with major finance houses including, Citi, GE and Barclays. Rachelle has an Executive MBA from Henley Business School UK.
Our Team
Kevin O’Brien
Head of Marketing & Fundraising
Kevin O’Brien has been part of the Variety Ireland team for over 5 years. As a family man with children, Kevin has over 25 years’ experience in sales and marketing. This experience he uses to compile and implement…
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…fundraising initiatives and awareness campaigns that has become a voice for all the children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds that Variety help here in Ireland.
Sharon Wright
IT & Admin Manager
Sharon Wright joined Variety Ireland as a volunteer in 2007, developing and maintaining their online presence.
Since 2013, Sharon has been involved in the administration side of the charity and…
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…has been helping develop new strategies and projects for Variety Ireland . Sharon has over 20 years experience in the IT industry, having previously managed an IT company. Sharon now runs her own business and is a proud mum to her children.