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Channel Seven said this was going to be the best Telethon ever – and they didn’t disappoint. The people and companies of Western Australia yet again opened their wallets to generously bring the total raised over the 2010 Telethon weekend to $9,237,539. This brings the total since 1968 to $103,781,220.
The first donation came from Prime Minister, Julia Gillard who asked people to dig deep and announced a Federal Government donation of $1.5 million.
Party goers at The Lexus Ball raised $300,000 (last year the ball raised a record $251,000).
The 2010 Peet Telethon Home at Shorehaven by In-Vogue was sold before auction and raised an impressive $865,000 while the the 2010 Telethon Regional Home at Seacrest Estate by WA Country Builders is close to being sold for $600,000.
Burswood Entertainment Complex came on board as a sponsor of A Minute to Win It, giving $5,000 for each task completed in under 60 seconds – for a total of $50,000. However after the second to last game Burswoood CEO Barry Felstead announced that if the last game was completed, they would add $1 million to the total.
Better Homes and Gardens chippie and Dancing with the Stars winner, Rob Palmer was chosen to complete the task on behalf of Telethon and did. Burswood Entertainment Complex are now a Telethon Million Dollar Partner.
To cap off another successful Telethon weekend, Executive Chairman of the Seven Group Holdings, Mr Kerry Stokes generously contributed $1 million on behalf of Australian Capital Equity.
Other significant donations included:
This year’s Little Telethon star, Phoebe McIndoe and her school friends at Pioneer Village school raised $12,000 and Little Telethon star, Lachy Ross donated $500 if Rob Palmer took his shirt off and he willingly obliged.
Coles donated $100,000.
BHP Biliton Iron Ore generously gave a cheque for $100,000, plus they matched money raised by their staff at a Telethon charity match day earlier in the year when West Coast Eagles played Brisbane Lions at Subiaco. This made another $34,000 for Telethon.
Radio station 92.9 The Kids Appeal for Telethon raised $130,000.
At the Brownes Fitness Challenge, Matt Fuller of Fuller Fitness powered for 24 hours non-stop on a cross trainer to collect $1000 an hour from Brownes raising $24,000.
The West Australian kindly donated $100,000 and The West Australian Regional Newspaper Group presented a cheque for $40,000.
Even though John Travolta didn’t make it to Perth, Qantas made a generous donation of $50,000.
Colin Barnett, the Premier of Western Australia, donated $300,000 from the State Government – or from every person in the State as Mr Barnett said as he presented the cheque.
At noon today, in an unprecedented gesture, an anonymous donor pledged to match dollar for dollar every donation that came through the phone room until the close of the event. The donor pledged up to $1 million and said that they have been overwhelmed by the generous spirit and support of Telethon from mums, dads, children and every corner of the community – and while $972,000 was raised from the public and mached by the generous family – they made up the difference to donate $1 million.
It was not only the corporate sector donating generously, people from WA were equally giving. Two such people are Andrew Macri who raised $17,000 from a golf day and Scott Guerini had Scott’s Great Walk back in June which raised more than $3,000.
A huge line-up of Seven Network talent flew in from around Australia including:
As well as a very special appearance from Hollywood actress Carrie Fisher and Twilight ‘Eclipse and Breaking Dawn’ star BooBoo Stewart.
They were joined by our very own Seven Perth stars – Rick Ardon, Susannah Carr, Basil Zempilas, Natalia Cooper, Emmy Kubainski, Sally Bowrey, Adrian Barich, Tina Altieri and Today Tonight’s Monika Kos, Mark Gibson and Graeme Butler.
Plus many of Perth’s radio personalities from Mix 94.5, 92.9, Nova 937, 6PR, ABC720, 96fm and 6iX.
The crowd was entertained by an incredible array of talented performers such as comedian Julia Morris, Short Stack, Marcia Hines, Jessica Mauboy, Mark Vincent, Stan Walker, Amy Meredith, Bobby Andonov, The Pobelleez, Kate Ceberano, Damien Leith, Justice Crew, Scarlett Belle and Jemma Rix and Lucy Durack from the cast of Wicked.
The McDonald’s Worldwide Celebrity Search for Telethon was an Australian first, probably a world first.
In an unprecedented event, Channel Seven Perth joined forces with five competing commercial radio stations for The McDonald’s Worldwide Celebrity Search for Telethon. Their mission was to track down celebrities in London and Los Angeles and to bring them back to appear on Telethon – or at the very least send a televised goodwill message.
The radio personalities who went to London were Shane McFarlane from Mix 94.5; Steve Fitton from 96FM and Simon Beaumont from 6PR.
Lisa Fernandez and Sam McMillan from 92.9 and Nathan Morris from Nova 93.7 flew to Los Angeles.
They did well – the radio personalities spoke to the likes of James May from TV series, Top Gear; Canadian pop-R&B singer, Justin Bieber ; country singer, Keith Urban; Hollywood actor Will Ferrell; singers Brian Ferry and Annie Lenox and Bassendean artist, Rolf Harris.
Telethon General Manager, Steve Mummery was thrilled with the outcome of the weekend. “Our phenomenal team at Channel Seven has created what I consider to be the best Telethon ever.”
“I’m very proud of what we’ve all achieved and most importantly what the people of Western Australia have achieved that will in turn, benefit our future generations.”
Hollywood superstar, John Travolta took time out to film a message before flying back to be with his family. He congratulated the people of Perth and said he would be back in Perth soon.
On behalf of the entire team at Channel Seven and Telethon, Seven’s General Manager and Telethon Trustee, Ray Wardrop, offered a special thanks to all those who contributed over the weekend – the stars who gave their time, the many volunteers and particularly, all those who pledged donations.