APPLICATIONS have opened for the 2026 Variety Heart Scholarships, giving children across the state the chance to pursue passions in sport, music and the arts.

The program run by children’s charity Variety offers up to $4000 to children aged six to 17 who live with a disability, disadvantage or long-term health condition.

The scholarships help cover costs such as lessons, coaching, travel and equipment.

Among the children to benefit is Pickering Brook boy Michael whose journey has been a testament to personal resilience and the opportunities the scholarship presented.

Michael was born seven weeks premature with a hole in his heart and cerebral palsy following a brain bleed and was not expected to survive infancy.

At four months he underwent major heart surgery and came home to his family soon after.

His father Neil Reynolds said the prognosis wasn’t good, but Michael defied every expectation.

“Michael came to us straight out of hospital at four and a half months,” Mr Reynolds said.

“We’ve been in Pickering Brook ever since.

“Doctors didn’t expect him to survive his operation when he was four months old.

“The nurses had all grown very fond of him and came to say goodbye because they didn’t think he’d make it, but he pulled through.

“That was probably the first sign of the determination he’s shown all his life.”

The Variety scholarship gave Michael access to one-on-one singing lessons and a place in the Variety Choir, feeding his love of musical theatre.

His father said Michael had an unusual gift.

“He feels the music as much as he hears it,” Mr Reynolds said.

“He can hear a song once and remember every word and note.”

Mr Reynold said Michael has also always loved running but living with cerebral palsy and being smaller in stature were his unique challenges.

“He’s often competing against kids twice his size,” he said.

“Variety really changed that when he got his scholarship and met Rhiannon Clarke who was Australia’s fastest female Paralympic sprinter.

“She invited him to train with her squad which led to him joining with the Western Australian institute of sport (WAIS).

“From there, everything else took off.”

Neil said the support of Variety had been life-changing.

“You can’t put a ceiling on what kids like Michael can do if they’re given the right opportunities,” he said.

“This scholarship hasn’t just built his skills, it’s given him confidence and opened doors for his future.”

Applications for the 2026 scholarships reopened on September 19 and will close November 14 and may be made on the Variety website.