Spring is in the air, and with it comes a fresh burst of creativity, as The Variety Club have just launched their brand new design for their well known Gold Heart Appeal. The Variety Club began the charity badge craze back in 1991, producing a different design each year, some of which have featured pretty patterns, while others reference film characters. For 2010 they have strengthened their association with the showbiz world, by calling on singer and TV presenter Alesha Dixon to design the 2010 badge.

Alesha’s signature themed design is on sale now via the Variety Club website, branches of H Samuel across the UK, along with Odeon, Cineworld, DeVere Venues, Village Hotels, Malmaison, Liberty, Greens Health and Fitness, and other local retailers. Money raised from this appeal will aid the Variety Club in their work with sick, disabled, and disadvantaged children in the UK. Their work includes the provision of sunshine coaches, wheelchairs, and other life enhancing equipment, along with running exciting trips for the sick children.

Alesha is evidently proud to be associated with the charity, and hopes her involvement in this years appeal will help to raise further awareness of the charities work across the UK. She comments : “The Variety Club is a fantastic charity helping so many thousands of children and young people every year regardless of whether they are sick, have mobility problems, are disabled or come from disadvantaged backgrounds. I’m so happy to be involved in this Gold Heart campaign, where every badge you buy will make a real difference to someone’s life. And remember just three badges will pay for an unforgettable day out for one of our young people. Have a heart, help a child.”

If you’d like to find out more about this years ‘Gold Heart’ badge, or previous badges (which have fast become collectors items) then visit www.varietyclub.org.uk/goldhearts, where you’ll also find more information on the charity, and their work.

I’ve bought ‘Gold Hearts’ myself, and enjoy seeing what design they come up with every year. I’m not surprised they have become collectors items, some of which are even worth some money, and ALL helping the charity to raise £200m since it’s inception. Not bad huh?