Telethon breaks (another) record at $46.3m

Telethon has done it again.

Despite a shorter broadcaster and the clear challenges of 2020, Western Australia’s annual fundraiser for children raised a massive $46,331,097.

That broke records, eclipsing 2019’s $42.6m.

Seven screened the event over two nights from Crown Theatre, but without its overnight and daytime broadcast.

It did not deter the loyalty of the state and generous donors.

This year saw hosts Basil Zempilas, Susannah Carr, Rick Ardon, Tim McMillan, Peter Rowsthorn, Angela Tsun, Jenna Clarke and Sunrise’s Matt Tinney with performances from Casey Donovan, the cast of We Will Rock You, Ian Kenny (Birds of Tokyo), the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra, Joel Jackson, Indigenous artist Gina Williams, Samantha Jade, and Inneka string quartet.

There were also appearances from Hollywood actress Kate Walsh, boxer Danny Green, Wildcat Damian Martin, 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 WA Premier Mark McGowan, Mathias Cormann, Kim Beazley and Julie Bishop.

There were messages sent from Deborra-Lee Furness, Ian Thorpe, model Jessica Gomes, Formula 1 driver Daniel Riccardo, Rove McManus, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, and Channel Seven stars from Sunrise, The Morning Show & Home and Away.

This year also introduced a Telethon Family Festival at Optus Stadium.

Telethon Chairman Richard Goyder said, “The support of Western Australia was shown in numbers today. In what has been a challenging year for many, the inaugural Telethon Family Festival presented by Coles was all about bringing the community together in the spirit of Telethon to enjoy a great day out while raising money to help kids that need it the most.”