Astonishingly generous mums, dads, schools and grassroots groups were the heartbeat of this year’s record-breaking Telethon fundraiser for sick West Australian children, with a massive jump in call centre donations pushing the total past $100 million for the first time.
Slimed school principals, treadmill-tortured firefighters and big-hearted business heavyweights have pulled together in a mammoth community effort to help Telethon 2026 crack the $100 million total.
The annual 26-hour continuous broadcast marked was the culmination of a year’s worth of tireless fundraising by schools, community groups, businesses and families.
The State dug deep for this year’s annual 26-hour charity drive, raising a staggering $101,277,705 over a massive and colourful weekend that was packed full of memorable moments including epic performances, hilarious shenanigans and heartwarming tales.
But it is everyday West Aussies that are being hailed as the heroes of the campaign, with call centre donations up 10 per cent on last year, and community fundraising seeing a whopping 20 per cent jump on last year.
And the Telethon spirit did not stop there — a bustling crowd of more than 100,000 packed out RAC Arena across the 26-hours, as well as Sunday’s neighbouring Telethon Family Festival.
The Seven broadcast also reached a record 2.25 million Australians across the country, up from last year’s 1.25 million.
The event’s opening — which featured performances from the likes of Jessica Mauboy, Phil Burton and Kate Miller-Heidke — more than doubled it’s 2025 audience, reaching more than one million tuning in.
Telethon Trustee Kerry Stokes AC — who alongside wife Christine Simpson Stokes AM handed over the $5m cheque that helped reach the new record — said the efforts by everyday West Aussies was what the event was all about.
“For over 59 years we have built a family who have benefited from Telethon, and that’s why our community supports us so well,” Mr Stokes said.
“Every cent raised goes directly to beneficiaries, which sets Telethon apart.
“Telethon helps West Australians make a material difference to the lives of so many families.”
Telethon chair Richard Goyder AO said he was “blown away” by the generosity of Western Australians supporting kids and their families.
“We are going to make a difference to these kids and their families in the years ahead,” Mr Goyder said.
“Schools, community groups, businesses and individuals have been fundraising since January, and this weekend is where it all comes together.
“That money goes straight back out into the community to fund research, equipment and services for children right across WA throughout the year.”
The grassroots efforts were matched by the enormous generosity of the State and Federal governments, corporate giants and philanthropists. Premier Roger Cook handed over an $18 million cheque, the largest WA contribution to Telethon on record.
The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation was the second-largest contributor with a $10 million donation, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese chipped in $6 million on behalf of the Federal Government.
BHP, Rio Tinto, Hancock Iron Ore, Minderoo Foundation, Mineral Resource, Wesfarmers, Chevron, Crown Resorts Foundation, Woodside, Malcolm and Tonya McCusker, Tim Roberts, Stuart Tonkin, Tony and Milvia Poli, Hawaiian, and CommBank Business Group all made significant donations. The star-studded Telethon Ball brought together 700 business and community leaders to raise $25 million in a single night.
The guest list included Mr Albanese and wife Jodie Haydon, Federal Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, Mr Cook and wife Carly Lane, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti, and WA Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas.
Premier Roger Cook said he was proud to be part of a State that continued to come together in the name of children who need it most.
“To have raised just over $100 million is obviously an incredible milestone, and we’re very proud of the State,” he said on Monday.
“One of the proudest things for me as the Premier of Western Australia is to see Western Australians everywhere get behind a cause which is about sick and vulnerable children, about finding the answers for their rare diseases, and how we can continue to support them better in the challenges they face in their lives.”
Mr Albanese applauded what has been achieved through Telethon funding.
“(The) biggest State in the world hosts the biggest Telethon in the world to show its people have the biggest heart in the world,” he said.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement and a true testament to the vibrancy and the sense of community that you don’t have to be from the west to understand that this is the culture that you have built here over generations.”
Before the stage has even been packed away at RAC Arena from the weekend’s event, planning has already started to make next year’s 60th anniversary tally the biggest in WA history.
With a total of $879m now raised since the first Telethon 59 years ago, West Australians are already hoping to hit the magic $1 billion total in the milestone celebration. So far this year, Telethon has supported 147 beneficiary organisations through grants funding vital services, programs, equipment, research and life-changing opportunities for children.
Seven West Media CEO and Telethon Trustee, Maryna Fewster, said the theme ‘Incredible Together’ sums up Telethon perfectly.
“It’s a whole community, and a whole company, working towards one goal,” she said.
“Our people love working on Telethon all year, not just on the weekend. Seeing that effort become real support for children and families is the most rewarding part of what we do.”
According to this year’s Telethon Impact Report, the funding has helped provide 2611 pieces of essential equipment to health services, and supported 132 clinicians and staff to deliver medical care and vital programs across the State.
It has also backed life-changing medical research through The Kids Research Institute Australia to support Professor Chris Blyth and his colleagues on the development of vaccines to protect children from serious illness caused by RSV.
Telethon-supported work of CliniKids has helped inform Australia’s national guidelines for autism diagnosis and early intervention.
Funding through the COMPASS research program has supported researchers to develop more personalised ways to support autistic children with their communication skills.
