Nearly 100 years ago, a baby girl was left alone in a theatre with a note asking for help.

That child, Catherine Variety Sheridan, would go on to inspire the creation of one of the world's largest children's charities, after a group of showmen stepped in to care for her and fund her future.

On 22 August at The Westin Perth, Variety – the Children's Charity WA will bring that story full circle, as its flagship fundraising event, the Variety Big Top Ball, sets its sights on funding a Sunshine Coach to support children living with disability and disadvantage across Western Australia.

The Sunshine Coach is a specially equipped vehicle that provides safe and accessible transport for children living with disability and disadvantage, ensuring they can attend school, access therapy and participate in everyday life.

Variety has delivered 27 Sunshine Coaches across Australia, with three handed over since October 2025. In Western Australia, the program is still emerging, with the next coach expected to be delivered to Dianella Secondary College Education Support Centre mid-2026.

As one of Variety WA's most anticipated fundraising events, the Ball will bring together corporate partners, philanthropists and the broader community for a premium evening designed to inspire generosity and drive meaningful impact.

The 2026 Ball marks the first chapter in a three-year creative platform leading into Variety's centenary in 2028, reintroducing the organisation's show business roots through a modern, theatrical experience inspired by the spectacle of the Big Top.