2017 Beneficiaries

The Ability Centre

The In Home Baby Intervention Service (IBIS) supports families of babies with complex medical issues who are at risk of neurodevelopmental delay or disability. The Ability Centre offers occupational therapy, speech pathology and social work plus access to a therapy library which allows families to trial small pieces of equipment.

Ability Solutions

Children with demanding needs are provided with new opportunities for social and physical interaction through the High Care Kids program. Individually tailored to each child’s ability, activities include modified art, nerf play, photography and switch adapted remote control vehicles.

The Amanda Young Foundation

The Kiddy Canter program teaches children, parents and carers at early learning centers and kindergartens the importance of basic hygiene to reduce the chances of contracting infectious diseases such as meningococcal, hepatitis and the common flu. The program provides educational resources and tools so fun activities can be conducted in classes or at home.

Anglicare

The Young Hearts program is a unique service providing confidential counselling and support to children and caregivers in Western Australia’s most vulnerable regions, who have experienced family and domestic violence.

Asthma Foundation WA

Through the Coaches Clipboard Programs sporting coaches, referees and physical education teachers are taught about asthma, how it impacts on a child’s ability to compete, the right way to manage symptoms and how to cope with an attack or allergic reaction. The aim is to give kids and parents the confidence to actively participate in sports.

Australian Children’s Music Foundation

Through music the ACMF gives kids the creativity and imagination to see that the challenging world they have been exposed to is not the only one possible. Providing instruments and weekly sessions with local musicians it positively influences the lives of children and at risk youth in the Kimberley region.

Autism West

Providing a safe, engaging learning environment for children and teenagers with autism spectrum disorder, the Holiday Makers program is designed to increase motivation and engagement, teach kids to work together as a team and build self-esteem and confidence.

Bio-Rehab for Kids

Providing advanced biomechanical rehabilitation (ABR) sessions for children who have severe cerebral palsy or similar disabilities. ABR is an ever-developing therapy with the founders in Europe and Asia constantly researching new and effective techniques for restoring muscular function.

Cahoots

Delivering fun-filled, supportive, recreation camps for children with intellectual disabilities whilst providing much needed respite for their families.

Camp Quality

Camp Quality provides specialized coordinators who support families through their cancer journey by delivering recreation programs, respite camps and family events throughout WA.

Carers WA

Through Carers WA, young people who have family members and friends with a disability, chronic or terminal illness or alcohol or drug issues can experience life enhancing encounters at the Young Carers camp, a respite journey to New Norcia, Yanchep, the Pinnacles or Lancelin.

Children’s Hospice Association – Hannah’s House

Hannah’s House cares for kids with life-limiting conditions and helps families with services needed at home by providing registered, experienced paediatric nurses. This invaluable medical support allows parents to have a break, spend time with siblings, go to work, attend appointments and continue normal household activities. Education is also provided in the safe use of equipment and how to best care for children.

Conductive Education Charity WA

Providing a unique system of special education and rehabilitation developed for children who have motor disorders and neurological difficulties. High school students accessing the Conductive Education (CE) program build on skills gained during the primary school program including gross and fine motor control, greater independence of movement, thought process regulation and improved communication and social skills.

Cystic Fibrosis WA

Offering individualised support, education and advocacy for children with Cystic Fibrosis including community nurses, physiotherapists, education officers, nurse educators and social workers. Parents are supported through the provision of regular medical check-ups for children and regional kids are encouraged to attend camps, providing much needed respite for families.

DADAA

Partnering with Circus WA, DADAA engages teenagers with disabilities and high needs to participate in circus, digital art and film making projects. The Experience Collider program allows kids to build their strength, communication skills, confidence and resilience. It will also lead to an event in this year’s Awesome Children’s Festival where they will tell their story through performance and art.

Down Syndrome WA

Helping parents and children with Down Syndrome by providing the latest up-to-date information, peer support opportunities and the modelling of best practice interventions through the Developmental Playgroup program. The program helps families adjust to an initial diagnosis, build resilience and assists their interaction with the medical system to encourage the meeting of developmental milestones.

The Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation WA

Supporting language and early literacy development of children living in remote communities through evidence-based, culturally appropriate teaching materials used in the Improving Literacy Through Home Language Program. The foundation also provides the Word Science program where upper primary students, secondary students and young adults improve their reading and spelling skills through an enjoyable and relevant online spelling system based on best practice teaching of literacy.

Edmund Rice Camp WA

Empowering and inspiring at risk kids aged between 7 and 17 years through the delivery of respite camps aimed at improving mental health and resilience.

The Fathering Project

Improving child development outcomes such as school engagement and performance, socialisation and physical activity by engaging fathers and father figures. Also helping to prevent the negative consequences of father absence and neglect for students through online and printed resources across WA.

Foodbank WA

Providing disadvantaged children across WA with a nutritional meal through the School Breakfast Program. This improves the education, health and social outcomes of kids battling poor diet and health and ensures thousands of students a week receive a good breakfast before school begins.

Heart Kids WA

The Regional Family Support program helps families with a child born who has a congenital or childhood heart condition. Through education and information sessions parents can improving their knowledge, skills and resources to assist their child as well as therapeutic and social sessions to alleviate isolation, mental and financial exhaustion. Financial assistance is available for families travelling for treatment and who can also access equipment which allows reading INR levels (a blood clotting measurement) from home, saving time and the inconvenience of traveling long distances to regional clinics.

Joondalup Health Campus

The ground-breaking ORIGINS project is a ten year research study of pregnant women, babies and their partners, aimed at improving the health of the next generation through early diagnosis and intervention. The development of many serious diseases occurs in the womb so what happens in pregnancy increases the risk of developing chronic health issues like obesity, heart disease, allergies and poor mental health. ORIGINS will investigate how the early environment and lifestyle influences such as nutrition, physical activity, electronic use, stress, pollutants and behaviour affect child development in the hope of preventing diseases.

Kalparrin

Helping parents and carers of children with special needs through their Kalparrin Family Fun Days and Mum’s Retreats weekends. These improve mental and physical health by providing activities for families to connect, meet others and recharge, so they are rested and equipped to care for their children with special needs.

Legacy Fund of Perth

Providing camps to develop skills, build friendships and bond with others who are grieving the loss of an armed services patient.

Lifeline

The Suicide Safe Schools project is a program making students and families more aware of how to identify people at risk, teaching them life-saving intervention skills. The workshops have been developed by an internationally recognised suicide prevention training company with the belief that every suicide is preventable and anyone can learn the skills to save a life.

Make-A-Wish Australia

Providing dream come true wishes to WA children battling life-threatening illnesses, leaving them filled with hope, strength and joy.

Muscular Dystrophy Western Australia

Young adults suffering from neuromuscular conditions are vulnerable to bullying, often lack confidence and struggle with self-esteem. The Adolescent Resilience and Capacity Building Program is based on research from the Telethon funded Adolescent Early Intervention Pilot project and builds social and development skills to help children cope in adverse situations.

Parkerville Children and Youth Care

Delivering prevention, early intervention and recovery response services to children who have experienced sexual abuse. Their mission is to reduce the incidence of child abuse and improve outcomes for young people who have been harmed.

Perth Children’s Hospital

Perth Children’s Hospital (formerly Princess Margaret Hospital for Children) is regarded as one of the world’s leading paediatric facilities. Thanks to Telethon funding, the PCH is establishing the Telethon Clinical Research Centre which will ensure that all children throughout WA have access to the latest and most effective therapies. Grants also provide cutting edge medical equipment and world class interventions for sick children.

Riding for the Disabled

Providing healing through horse by offering therapeutic and recreational equestrian activities for children with disabilities and special needs.

Rebound WA

The Giving Kids a Go Program helps children with a physical disability build confidence and develop new skills through a unique range of sporting, recreational and social activities.

The Salvation Army Balga Early Learning Centre (ELC)

Providing an early intervention program for at risk children aged 6 weeks through to 6 years, ensuring they have the skills necessary to start school. Teams of early years educators provide a large, extensive range of activities, environments and experiences helping children develop at their own pace.

Starlight Children’s Foundation

The Livewire Ward & Workshop program transforms the hospital experience for children with a chronic health condition or disability by providing resilience enhancing and age appropriate activities. The goal is to improve the wellbeing of young people through opportunities for social connection, creative expression and personal development.

Superfins WA

Providing quality swimming lessons to children with physical and intellectual disabilities through the Learn to Swim program, reducing the incidence of drowning and making vulnerable young people feel safer in and around water.

Telethon Kids Institute

The world-renowned Telethon Kids Institute is responsible for many ground-breaking discoveries surrounding child health. Leading researchers work hard to free children from many diseases and conditions including cancer, leukaemia, diabetes, autism, asthma and cystic fibrosis. Improving the health of Aboriginal children and families is also a priority. Current research projects funded by Telethon include early intervention for children with complex needs in remote communities and a foetal alcohol disorder prevention study.

Telethon Speech and Hearing Centre

The Early Intervention project provides vital programs to help language and hearing impaired children across Western Australia, changing their lives by giving them the gift of speech.

Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre

Supporting children with type 1 juvenile diabetes and their families through specialised programs and services including camps for families and teens, nutrition and insulin workshops, dietetics and clinical psychology support.

Therapy Focus

Providing specialised equipment and professional therapy services that allow children and young people with disabilities to move, live and work freely and independently within their home and community.

Thriving Physical Activity and Health Program

Helping children and teenagers affected by cancer, metabolic diseases and other complex juvenile conditions through individualised, progressive and fully supervised positive exercise experiences. These improve self-confidence and equip kids with improved fitness and movement skills, helping them participate fully in a school or community environment.

VisAbility

Proves a unique, invaluable opportunity for visually impaired children to venture out of their comfort zone and be challenged through The Leeuwin Voyager program. The social and life skill activities on board the sailing ship promote independence and build confidence.

WA Disabled Sports Association

The Changing Lives with Water program provides disadvantaged kids with unique, fun aqua activities, creating challenges, adventure and enhancing existing therapies. The Backyard Bandit program brings the excitement of camping to children with disabilities would otherwise never enjoy this experience.

Women and Infants Research Foundation

Providing ongoing ground-breaking research into preterm births, which is the single greatest cause of death and disability in children up to five years of age. Preventing preterm birth is one of the highest priorities in health care as it will not only save lives, but will also have immediate and long-term benefits for pregnant women and their children.

Youth Focus Inc

Aims to prevent suicide and depression by providing professional counselling and life skills training for young people during vulnerable stages, giving them greater resilience to deal with future challenges.