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. 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Kristen Foran
Director
Bio to follow…
Our Management
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 who need extra help here in Ireland.
Sharon Wright
Company Secretary & 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.
