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.
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.
Clementine一座Telethon(澳大利亚慈善募款活动)住宅已为西澳大利亚州患病儿童筹得130.5万澳元。该住宅位于距离城区35公里的Upper Swan地区的一个规划社区中。它由Telethon、Blueprint Homes和Satterley Group合作建成。这座四卧室住宅配有两间浴室、一间家庭影院,以及位于前院的泳池,占地近600平方米。土地开发商Nigel Satterley表示,他的公司很高兴能帮助患病儿童。在电视直播活动期间,2025年Little Telethon Star Jordan Blair表示,他最喜欢的设施是前院的泳池。