Telethon 2025: Record-breaking $90,160,275 raised WA community rallies to help sick children

The people of Western Australia have shown why Telethon is the biggest and most impactful live TV fundraising event in the world, reaching an astonishing new record of $90,160,275.

Over one magical and awe-inspiring weekend our State was once again united by a single purpose: improving the lives of sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children, both today and into the future.

And yet again, a new record was reached, eclipsing last year’s total of $83,264,216.

The total fundraising effort since Telethon’s inception in 1968 now exceeds $750 million but the impact, through life-changing innovation, research, treatments and opportunities for sick children, is immeasurable.

Telethon chairman Richard Goyder said once again the WA community had banded together to change lives.

“One of the powerful things about Telethon is the way we come together. Every dollar that this amazing community contributes goes to the people who need it in Western Australia,” he said.

As the broadcast came to an end Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes and his wife Christine Simpson-Stokes donated a cheque for $5 million from their family.

Mr Stokes thanked the WA community and said work would begin straight away on delivering the record-breaking sum to those who need it most.

“Come tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock Telethon will be committed to implementing all the programs you’ve seen, to help all the people who need help,” he said.

The final tally came after an incredible 26 hours of generosity, joy, entertainment and community spirit, the likes of which is unique to WA.

The power of Telethon could be seen and felt everywhere.

It was in five-year-old Telethon star Izzy Miller’s delighted squeal of “I love it!” when she was shown footage of the new backyard the Build Now Foundation had created — complete with cubby house and outdoor kitchen — at her family’s Australind home they can’t wait to return to after her treatment for neuroblastoma.

It was in the hand-written card last year’s Telethon star Florence Shanks made for Elizabeth Perron, after she announced the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation’s $10 million pledge, which read “you are so cool and I want to be like you one day helping sick kids”.

It was in the families soaking up the atmosphere at the Telethon Family Festival presented by Coles, despite the rain, or cheering on basketball legend Greg Hire and 30 others pushing themselves to the limit for the eight hour Alcoa Cycle Challenge.

And in the tears shed by TV viewers and the live audience as Dr Chris Brown read out a moving letter from Perth mum Jo Wagner, whose daughter Kate died in July after 18 months in Perth Children’s Hospital.

“You made her feel special, important, and seen — not just as a patient, but as a friend,” read the letter to Dr Brown, who visited Kate with a therapy dog in the weeks before she passed away.

“That day was pure joy for Kate and for all of us to see that true smile and spark back in her eyes.”

As the final announcement approached, huge donations flooded in from WA’s business sector, including $5.5 million from BHP and $2 million from Mineral Resources.

Other large donations included $5.5 million from Rio Tinto and $6 million from the Federal Government, announced by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles on Saturday night as he witnessed Telethon’s power for the first time.

The State Government contributed a record $14 million, which tipped the tally over last year’s total. WA Premier Roger Cook said the entire State of WA should be proud of the final result.

“There’s just a general vibe in the community that everyone’s going to get on board. There is nothing like this in Australia, and for this form of fundraising, this is the biggest in the world,” he said.

Another record fell as the Telethon home, a four-bedroom, two-bathroom residence in Madora Bay, was sold for $1.375 million, with Home Group and Satterley rounding up the total to $1.4 million.

Ryan Stokes, the chief executive of Seven Group Holdings, which owns 40 per cent of Seven West Media, said Telethon had become an annual tradition for generations of Western Australians.

“The community support and just how big Telethon has become, and just how far reaching it is, is phenomenal,” he said.

“The spirit of Telethon is quite magic, and the fact it has been going for so long, there are now multiple generations of kids who are now adults driving this, who understand what it’s about.

“And it’s never lost that core connection with the entire population of WA.”

That connection was on display throughout the weekend, proving Telethon’s magic lies in its people.

Like the thousands of volunteers who showed up for children they had never met, the kids who pledged earnings from bake stalls and gave up their pocket money and the parents who encouraged them, having done the same thing years earlier and now acutely aware of just what’s at stake.

The businesses, from small teams to global giants, and their leaders who make it clear this one weekend in October is an enduring priority.

The performers, fundraisers and celebrities who entertained and inspired and the small but mighty Telethon team who work tirelessly behind the scenes and ensure every precious dollar goes where it’s needed.

The beneficiaries who use that money to improve the lives of countless WA families and, above all else, the extraordinary, brave kids.

Children like identical twins Edward and Ethan Chen, 7, who featured on the front page of The Sunday Times.

Edward lives with stage four spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and a rare and complex congenital neurological malformation, due to a pregnancy complication. His brother Ethan was born healthy and cares for and protects his twin, with whom he shares a special bond.

And Hemi Andrews whose powerful story featured on the front of Saturday’s The West Australian. Hemi has had six open heart surgeries at just five years old but, as his mum Brooke says, he shows twice the courage, joy and love in spite of it all.

Hemi and his family featured on the 26 hour Telethon broadcast on Saturday night, which Brooke said capped off an unforgettable weekend.

“We are still on cloud 9, it’s been such an inspiring weekend and so healing,” she said.

“It was such a proud moment for the whole family, watching our boy stand strong and show just how hard he has fought to be here and give others hope to hold on even in the darkest of days.

“I hope that’s what his story does for others in a similar situation, gives hope to keep fighting.”

The faces of the Telethon stars, Jordan Blair, Izzy Miller, Paige McIllree and Xavier Summers, were lit up as they were celebrated across the weekend.

Jordan’s mum Taryn Blair said Telethon had brought joy, support and comfort to the whole family.

“Having people stop and want to take photos of Jordan and give him presents, and posters they’ve made … I’ve had a permanent smile on my face all weekend,” she said.

“Meeting the other parents and Telethon stars has also been incredible, for Jordan to understand there are kids like him and to have their differences celebrated.”

“Seeing the joy on his face, I can’t put it into words.”