3rd Floor Ulysses House, Foley Street, Dublin 1
+353 1 437 0323
info@varietyireland.org

Our Team

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 Trustees

Derek O’Neill

Director & CEO

Derek O’Neill is an Internationally acclaimed psychotherapist, motivational speaker, author, martial arts sensei and humanitarian.

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Derek has been involved with Variety in both Ireland and Internationally for many years, and has previously served on the Variety International board. 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.

Sean Kavanagh

Director & Treasurer

Sean Kavanagh is based in Castlemaine Co Kerry. He is a self-employed accountant who runs his own general practice. Sean has three young children.

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He is keenly aware of the challenges faced 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 17 years of Charity Volunteering Experience with Variety the Children’s Charity. 

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She has previously served on the Variety International Board 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.

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. 

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Sean is a father of two young daughters and is a board member 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.

Kristen Foran

Director

Kristen Foran joined the board of Variery Ireland in June 2023. With many years of charity experience, Kristen also serves on the Board of NCBI and chairs their Foundation Board.

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A highly experienced professional, Kristen has worked in various roles in communications and sales in Financial Services for more than 25 years. She has extensive experience and skills in strategic development and leadership. She holds Masters degrees in Financial Planning and in Leading Cultural Change and Ethical behaviours in Financial Services.

Our Management

Kevin O’Brien

Head of Marketing & Fundraising

Kevin O’Brien has been part of the Variety Ireland team for over 6 years. As a family man with children, Kevin has over 25 years’ experience in sales and marketing.

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This experience he uses to compile and implement fundraising initiatives and awareness campaigns that has become a voice for all the children and families who need extra help here in Ireland.

Sharon Wright

Company Secretary & IT Manager

Sharon Wright joined Variety Ireland as a volunteer in 2007, developing and maintaining their online presence.
Since 2013, Sharon has also 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 and when not running her own business, is kept busy with her young family.

© 2024 (Tent 41)
Registered Charity No: CHY5739