Tag Archives: Mates Weekend

Revving up for the Grand Prix

It was nothing but fast cars and arcade action for the boys that attended the Very Special Kids Mates Weekend in March.

The weekend kicked off with some tasty eats at Grill’d Malvern followed by a visit to Crown’s Galactic Circus for some ten pin bowling and fun interactive games!

The boys then got revved up for some pedal to the metal action at the Formula One Grand Prix on Saturday to watch the qualifying final. This was definitely the highlight of the weekend and it was made possible by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation – a big thank you for your generosity and support!

Very Special Kids would also like to thank Grill’d Malvern and our amazing volunteers who made the Mates Weekend a raging success.

Mates Weekends are designed to bring together children who have high cognitive ability and are facing similar physical challenges.

From 20 to 21 May more than 1,000 participants will run the 24 Hour Treadmill Challenge to raise funds for children in 24 hour care at Very Special Kids Hospice. To sponsor a runner visit www.vsktreadmill.org.au.

Our friends at Grill’d showing their support!

Watching the Formula One’s race around the track!

Fast and furious hospice weekend

Boys staying at Very Special Kids Hospice enjoyed a fun-fueled high-octane Mates Weekend with luxury cars and adventures across the city.

Dream Drives Melbourne shifted the weekend into gear taking the boys on hot laps around Very Special Kids’ grounds in exotic cars, including a Batmobile-inspired Lamborghini.

The boys then fueled-up at Grill’d Malvern before revving up to Village Cinemas Jam Factory for 007 action in the new Bond film.

Very Special Kids Mates Weekends are designed for teens who have high-cognition, but significant physical challenges, giving them a chance to have fun and connect with others in a similar situation. This weekend was made possible by the generous support of volunteers, Dream Drives Melbourne, Grill’d Malvern and Village Cinemas Jam Factory.

Dream Drives Melbourne are also holding a family fun day fundraiser on 13 December. Go along to get up close and personal with luxury cars and support Very Special Kids.

Masterchef madness at hospice

Ready, set, cook! The hospice was full of the delicious smells of a cooking challenge with a surprise visit from ex-Masterchef contestants for the Girls Mates Weekend.

Sam Gant, contestant in Masterchef 2014 and owner of catering company Pot & Pan, and Julia Taylor, contestant in the 2012 season and pastry chef, worked with the girls to prepare a mouth-watering pasta dish made from fresh produce from the Melbourne Fruit and Vegetable Market. Dough was prepared, pasta rolled out, and delicious parcels of pumpkin, apple and nutmeg tortellini created. The pasta was served with a burnt butter and sage sauce and plated up with flair for everyone to enjoy.

The mini Masterchef challenge was made possible by the Melbourne Fruit and Vegetable Market and Fresh State, which also arranged for the girls to relax in style after all their hard work with gold class movie tickets.

Beyond supporting the Girls Mates Weekend the Melbourne Fruit and Vegetable Market and Fresh State will be fundraising for Very Special Kids through their Market on the Move initiative.

Catch all the Masterchef madness in the gallery below.

Bounce and boogie at Mates weekend

It was a whirlwind of bouncing, dancing and painting at the Very Special Kids Hospice Mates on the Move weekend.

The children kicked off the weekend with a messy art therapy session with the hospice Art Cabriolet therapist. The evening quickly ramped up to a dance party with a visit from DJ Captain America (Andrew Medland).

Sunday morning saw the kids enjoying a group grocery shop and picnic, and reaching for the sky at BOUNCE INC.

After an exhausting two days of activities, the weekend finished with the children creating artwork to take home to their mums.

Mates on the Move brings together children who are very mobile and have high behavioural needs requiring one-to-one care. The program enables these children to experience activities they normally would not be able to participate in.

Footy fever at Mates Weekend

It was footy madness for the boys that attended the Very Special Kids Mates Weekend in May.

The weekend kicked off with a visit from musical legend Greg Champion who entertained the boys with footy songs while they prepared signs for the match they were going to that evening.

Then it was off to the MCG for dinner and to watch the Melbourne vs Sydney game, with Sydney taking the win.

The adventure came to a close the next day with a family BBQ to celebrate Mother’s Day.

The Very Special Kids Mates Weekend for boys was made possible by the generous support of our volunteers, Cooper and Milla’s, Crown Coaches, Melbourne Football Club and Art Cabriolet.

Mates Weekends are designed to bring together children who have high cognitive ability and are facing similar physical challenges. Very Special Kids also runs Mates on the Move Weekends for children that are very mobile and have developmental and intellectual disabilities.