Telethon 2026 raised a record $101 million for sick and disadvantaged children across Western Australia, passing the $100 million mark for the first time in its 59-year history. The total followed a brunch where Perth mother Pamela Campbell spoke about her son Callum, who died from leukaemia in 2021, aged five. Campbell said watching Home And Away each night in hospital helped her get through hard days. At the closing moments, Kerry Stokes hugged nine-year-old Telethon star Aiden Narsico. The funds will go towards equipment, medical research and family services.
Channel Seven presenter Karen Ledbury drew praise for her performance at the 2026 Telethon, which supports WA kids. Away from the stage, she is living with grief. In June 2022, her husband Aidan suffered a stroke while she was at work. In an April 2026 interview, Ledbury said he cannot walk, communicate or talk, and needs 24-hour care. She said she makes space for her grief, and a source told Woman's Day that performing on stage was cathartic for her.
The inaugural City of Wanneroo Swimathon has raised more than $35,000 for sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Western Australia. Almost 90 swimmers took part in the 24-hour event in support of Telethon. Swimmers took part in four-hour blocks, including some children. Wanneroo Mayor Linda Aitken said the event had exceeded expectations, and the council is keen to make it an annual event. Swimmers covered a total of 13,316 laps, or 332.9 kilometres.
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Telethon has raised a record $101,277,705 for sick West Australian children, passing $100 million for the first time. Call centre donations rose 10 per cent on last year, and community fundraising jumped 20 per cent. The Premier handed over an $18 million cheque, the largest WA contribution on record. Schools, firefighters and individuals also raised funds through events and endurance challenges. Organisers say next year's 60th anniversary event will aim for $1 billion in total funds raised since the first Telethon.
A Perth mother has become an internet sensation after her half-naked son appeared during Telethon's live car giveaway. Falziah Cooper, a single mother of four, won a Hyundai Kona on Sunday night. Shane Crawford and Katie Brown delivered the car to her Victoria Park home. Cooper said she had been facing a $10,000 bill to repair her broken-down car, and she has donated to Telethon for decades. A second winning family, Trevor and Brenda Crispin of Busselton, also received a Kona.
Western Australians have raised a record $100 million for sick children at the 2026 Telethon. Throughout a 26-hour broadcast at RAC Arena, more than 100,000 people took part in events and donations. Backyard ultra-marathon runner Phil Gore collected $301,093.40, the highest individual total. Schools across the State also raised money through activities such as discothons, pyjama days and a green slime challenge. Healthy Strides held a Moveathon that raised a record $47,409.79.
Telethon has reached a new record total, with business leaders, politicians and celebrities announcing large donations. Premier Roger Cook handed over an $18 million cheque on behalf of WA taxpayers on Sunday night. Chevron donated $1.5 million, Rio Tinto gave $5.5 million and BHP's latest gift took its total to more than $56 million. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese committed $6 million to WA children and research. The ball raised $25 million in two hours.
Telethon's 59th fundraiser at Perth's RAC Arena has raised a record $101,277,705 for Western Australian children. A $5 million donation from Kerry Stokes and Christine Simpson Stokes pushed the total past $100 million in the final moments of the broadcast. Premier Roger Cook announced a record $18 million from the State Government. The Telethon Ball generated $25 million. Donations ranged from dance marathons to school cookie dough sales. The broadcast was shown nationally for the first time.
A towel-clad young man became the highlight of this year's Telethon car giveaway after his mother won a Hyundai Kona. Falziah Cooper, an aviation screening officer at Perth Airport, was surprised by Shane Crawford and Katie Brown at Victoria Park. She screamed and jumped with joy, and her son Amir ran out and later climbed into the car beside her. Earlier, Trevor and Brenda Crispin, who are living in a caravan park, won another Kona from a $10 donation.
A Telethon house in Clementine has raised $1.305 million for WA's sick children. The home sits in a masterplanned community in the Upper Swan region, 35km from the city. It was built through a collaboration between Telethon, Blueprint Homes and the Satterley Group. The four-bedroom home includes two bathrooms, a home theatre and a front-yard pool, on nearly 600sqm of land. Land developer Nigel Satterley said his company was glad to help sick children. During the televised event, 2025 Little Telethon Star Jordan Blair said his favourite feature was the front-yard pool.
WA Premier Roger Cook says he is proud of how Western Australia has come together for Telethon 2026. Speaking at RAC Arena during the Telethon Family Festival, he said the event offers a welcome break from difficult times. Cook said children's efforts, including coin and pocket money donations, matter as much as large gifts. More than 75 schools across the state took part in The Premier's Challenge. Mindari Primary School was the most successful, raising $32,000, partly through selling 1.5 tonnes of cookie dough.
Thousands of people attended the 2026 Telethon Family Festival on Wellington Street in Perth's CBD on Sunday. The free event featured rides, live performances, showbags, food trucks and sideshow games. Families said they valued the chance to support sick children and the community. Inside the arena, people took part in 24-hour fundraisers, including a bounce-a-thon and a treadmill walk. Guest celebrities, including Rob Palmer, joined the day's activities.
