Businessman appointed chief barker of children’s charity

A YORKSHIRE businessman has become the first person from outside London to be appointed as chief barker of the Variety Club children’s charity of Great Britain.

Paul Lawrence,  a consultant at Leeds-based insurance brokers and independent financial advisors Lawrence Scoffield & Co, will travel around the UK to see first hand the work of the charity that has raised over £200m for disadvantaged and disabled children over the last 60 years.

The Variety Club has been linked with the glamour of show business and is supported by major stars in British entertainment. Celebrities including Michael Caine, Barbara Windsor and Kenneth Branagh back the charity.

Since its launch the Variety Club has also enjoyed the patronage of the Royal Family and Mr Lawrence recently attended a celebration event held at Buckingham Palace to mark the charity’s 60th anniversary.

Mr Lawrence has been involved with the charity for 15 years. He is also a governor of Leeds Grammar School and the Leeds College of Music.
 
He said: “The Variety Club is committed to a path of modernisation. During my term of office next year I want make sure we keep driving the charity forward and recruit as many young people as possible to help us with our fundraising.

“We recognise that 2010 will be a challenging year but our new relationship with the AHG/MWB Groups which includes Liberty of London, Malmaison and Hotel Du Vin, the De Vere and Village Hotel chains has the potential to raise millions for the Variety Club. We are also looking forward to benefiting from the support of thousands of employees of the Co-operative Group.”

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