West Aussies have once again outdone themselves, this time raising a staggering $46, 331, 097 for Telethon 2020. Even in a year of unprecedented hardship, individuals and corporates from around the state dug deep and donated, all for the sick kids of WA.
Channel 7’s Telethon, which was broadcast LIVE from the Crown Theatre Perth over two special nights (Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October), had all the elements that Telethon is renowned for – community, family entertainment and a reason to be thankful.
7NEWS presenters and Telethon hosts Basil Zempilas, Susannah Carr, Rick Ardon, Tim McMillan, Angela Tsun, Adrian Barich and Amelia Broun were joined by comedian and Kath & Kim star Peter Rowsthorn, The West Australian’s Jenna Clarke and Sunrise’s Matt Tinney – as they presented the all-new Telethon. Unlike anything viewers had seen before, the 53rd Telethon included a lot of surprises including a brand new set, in a new location with new segments including the Kids Couch with hard hitting questions from our Student Ambassadors.
The two nights of non-stop action featured WA’s favourite TV, sports and music stars. There were heart-pumping performances by artists such as pop sensation and WA local, Samantha Jade, Casey Donovan and the cast of the West End smash-hit musical We Will Rock You, Ian Kenny (Birds of Tokyo) and the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, actor and musician Joel Jackson, Indigenous artist Gina Williams, as well as the electrifying Inneka string quartet.
A roll call of Western Australia’s biggest names turned out for Telethon: including WA Premier Mark McGowan, Hollywood actress Kate Walsh, world boxing champion Danny Green, YouTube sensations The Rybka Twins, Big Brother housemates Ian, Hannah and Casey, Paralympian Brant Garvey, West Coast Eagles favourite Nic Naitanui, Fremantle Dockers captain and dual Brownlow Medallist Nat Fyfe, as well as Xavier, Juelz and Pete from Hit 92.9FM and Clairsy, Matt and Kymba from Mix 94.5FM. Senator Mathias Cormann and Perth favourite, Julie Bishop were also on hand to lend their support.
Telethon was also flooded with messages of support from Aussies around the globe including those from actor and Founder of Adopt Change, Deborra-Lee Furness, Olympic champion Ian Thorpe, international model Jessica Gomes, Formula 1 driver Daniel Riccardo, comedian Rove McManus, artists Jessica Mauboy and Guy Sebastian, as well as all your favourite Channel Seven stars.
Joy was brought to families in what has been a challenging year with just under 20,000 people attending today’s 2020 Telethon Family Festival presented by Coles at Optus Stadium. All proceeds from this inaugural event contributed to the 2020 Telethon total.
Once again, West Aussie’s generosity has ensured Telethon remains one of the biggest fundraising events in the world per capita as well as making the future a lot brighter for WA kids in need.
Donations are still being accepted.