Charlie Dixon with five-year-old Mackayla Grigg, who will be tasked with the role of presenting the shield to the winner of Showdown LIII. Image: Matt Sampson.

PORT ADELAIDE star forward, Charlie Dixon, has thrown support behind Variety – The Children’s Charity as an ambassador for their annual Aussie Muscle Car Run, in addition to the club’s continued support of Variety as an official charity partner.

Dixon’s ambassadorship will see his love of iconic cars mix with his passionate community heart, when he takes part in the annual event in October aimed to raise funds for kids who are sick, disadvantaged, or live with a disability.

Over the course of a week, Dixon will travel with the other event registrants across some of Australia’s most iconic scenery, with their participation ensuring Variety can continue their life-changing community work.

Charlie Dixon has thrown support behind Variety – The Children’s Charity as an ambassador for their annual Aussie Muscle Car Run. Image: Matt Sampson.

This week, Variety will again present the annual Showdown Shield at Showdown LIII, with donor recipient five-year-old Mackayla Grigg tasked with the role of presenting the shield to the winning side.

Diagnosed with Duodenal Stenosis, brain malformation, global development delay and right exotropia with nystagmus at birth, she was originally told she would be unable to walk or talk and suffered multiple seizures mid-way through 2022 that left her in a crucial condition and fighting for her life.

But with the help of medical experts and the team at Variety, she received the critical treatment and support she needed to recover and will now run out to Adelaide Oval after Showdown LIII on the weekend.

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Power healthy lifestyle programs travel to Whyalla | PTV

Power Community Limited recently travelled to Whyalla to deliver its Community Youth Program, made possible by the support of GFG, Variety SA and Department for Education, South Australia.

CEO of Variety, Mark McGill said Mackayla’s story is one of bravery.

“Mackalya Grigg is a beautiful 5-year-old who has a raft of challenges. She has bravely and thankfully defied her initial prognosis that was quite grim and now walks unaided and has verbal communication,” Mr. McGill said.

“To assist her development Variety granted Mackalya a therapy pool and since she commenced aquatic therapy, we have seen major improvement to her muscle tone, her movement and posture and her fine motor skills.

“Aquatic therapy relaxes Mackayla muscles to a point of function which enables her movement functional on land and her muscle tone has significantly improved as a result of intensive aquatic therapy.”

Mackayla's story is one of bravery, defying her initial prognosis and set to run out to Adelaide Oval after Showdown LIII on the weekend. Image: Matt Sampson.

Mackayla’s ongoing medical treatment, teamed with her recovery in the pool, has resulted in her being seizure-free for almost a year.

The natural synergy in values between Port Adelaide and Variety has seen the partnership extend into the clubs’ Community Programs, providing important funding for Power Community Limited’s (PCL) Community Youth Program, which works to educate young people on how to live a healthy lifestyle.

To support Variety’s incredible work with children in South Australia, you can donate to the Aussie Muscle Car Run here, or look out for the Variety QR Codes at Adelaide Oval on the weekend.