Telethon becomes two primetime events

Western Australia’s annual Telethon is proceeding on the weekend of October 24 – 25 as two primetime events, beginning after the 2020 AFL Grand Final on Seven.

This is less marathon airtime undoubtedly due to the challenges of the pandemic.

This year Telethon will be held Live from the Crown Theatre Perth hosted by Seven News presenters Basil Zempilas, Susannah Carr, Rick Ardon, Tim McMillan and Angela Tsun.

Host of Telethon, Basil Zempilas, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to celebrate local talent and local performers who better than anyone understand the true essence of our much loved appeal. Telethon has always been about the people of Perth and Western Australia coming together, and this year with so much to be thankful for in the west, here’s our chance to really give something back.”

Due to state border closures it will also focus on WA-based performers and personalities, although Sunrise, The Morning Show & Home and Away casts will also feature.

WA’s Samantha Jade, who will be performing out of Channel Seven’s Sydney studios, added: “Telethon is one of my favourite events of the year and I am so excited to be returning. Although it’s a little different this year, I know the electric feeling that only Telethon can bring will be the same.”

Telethon remains one of the biggest fundraising events in the world per capita.

Over two nights of non-stop action it will feature WA’s favourite TV, sports and music stars. There will be heart-pumping performances by artists such as 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 will turn out for Telethon: including world boxing champion Danny Green, Wildcats legend Damian Martin, YouTube sensations The Rybka Twins, Big Brother housemates Angela, 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 WA Premier Mark McGowan. They will all be on hand taking your donation calls and joining in the fun.

Comedian and Kath & Kim star Peter Rowsthorn will be hosting the very special Kids Chat area – where he and his little friends will interview some of Perth’s biggest corporate bosses about their amazing donations and their connection with Telethon.

It wouldn’t be Telethon without your favourite Channel Seven faces, and the team from Sunrise and The Morning Show will be doing their bit – as well as something special by the Home and Away gang.

The always popular In It To Win It, presented by Crown, will feature an array of the who’s who of WA – including special stand-out moments by players from the Perth Glory and Perth Wildcats, as well as the always sporty Xavier, Juelz and Pete from Hit 92.9FM and Clairsy, Matt and Kymba from Mix 94.5FM.

This year the focus of Telethon is the people of WA helping their fellow West Australians in a year when we need it most. The message is simple – WA, give what you can, if you can. Let’s make a difference, together, for the kids who need us.

Saturday 24 October 2020 – 8:30pm to 11:30pm on 7 – Live from Crown Theatre Perth
Sunday 25 October 2020 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm on 7 – Live from Crown Theatre Perth

Donations call 1300 737 507 over the Telethon Weekend or head to telethon7.com.