Mon, 23 Nov 2009 4:19p.m.
Joseph Penno and his new bike
By Rachel Morton
Variety is celebrating its 20th anniversary, and to mark the occasion the children's charity is giving away 1000 bikes to disadvantaged children.
Receiving a bike was extra special for one boy. Eight-year-old Joseph Penno suffers from a neurological condition which means he can only walk short distances, and until today was unable to ride a bike.
That was until Variety had one made especially for him, designed like a tricycle, with a motor that kicks in once it hits 5km/h to help with pedalling.
"I think it's quite cool, and it's my favourite colour," says Joseph.
Joseph was amongst 100 Wellington children from 21 schools to receive a bicycle, the first of 1000 to be handed to children around the country.
For most of the children this is their first bike, but for Joseph it's an opportunity to keep up with his brothers.
"I've had one bike before, but I couldn't ride it as easily as my brothers," he says.
"They quite often go down to the local school and ride around on the pavement, and Jo just stays at home," says his dad Steve Penno, "so it'll be great that he'll be able to go down and ride around with them too."
Variety has distributed more than $11 million to disadvantaged children over the past 20 years, and it is hoping the bikes will be a welcome early Christmas present.
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