Miracles don’t always happen through chance, they can be created.
A child who was never expected to walk, finding their feet thanks to regular therapy.
The joy on a little boy’s face during a hospital room AUSLAN exchange with a bubbly children’s entertainer in an orange dress.
A world-first research program offering a chance at survival for our most premature babies. An opportunity for children living with devastating health challenges to be celebrated, pampered and have their wildest dreams come true.
And the bold idea for an annual, live Telethon in the world’s most isolated city — that some thought was impossible — which made all of those miracles happen, and countless more.
In its 59th year the iconic 26-hour fundraising event at the RAC Arena broke yet another record, with the remarkable generosity of the WA community taking the final tally to an incredible $101,277,705.
Every dollar raised will go directly to dozens of medical and research beneficiaries working tirelessly to help WA children and their families. Telethon has now raised in excess of $850 million for WA children living with illness, disability and disadvantage, giving support and hope where it’s needed most.
A $5 million donation from Telethon Trustees Kerry Stokes and Christine Simpson Stokes took the tally over the $100 million mark in the final moments of the extraordinary broadcast.
Mr Stokes and Mrs Simpson Stokes, who were joined by an overjoyed Little Telethon Star Aiden Narsico to announce the final tally, said it was inspiring to see so many children giving to help other kids in need.
Channel 7 Telethon Trust chair Richard Goyder thanked the WA community for continuously supporting children in need.
He said community contributions and calls to the phone room were both up on last year.
“As a community we are so good at supporting our kids in WA and I feel incredibly proud to be part of this movement,” he said.
Announcing a record $18 million cheque from the State Government, Premier Roger Cook also acknowledged his pride for the WA community.
“There are all kinds of emotions that overwhelm you during this weekend . . . but the one emotion that comes to me every time is pride. And as Premier of Western Australia, I am so proud of this state and what they do to raise money for our sickest and most vulnerable kids,” he said.
Despite the cost of living crisis, there was no limit to West Australians’ generosity and creativity. From 12-hour dance marathons to cookie dough sales at WA schools, to car park sausage sizzles, remarkable endurance feats or workplace morning teas, donations flooded in from across the State.
WA’s corporate community continued its remarkable commitment to the cause, with the Telethon Ball generating a staggering $25 million.
WA was the focus of the nation as politicians, business leaders and big name celebrities converged on Perth, and Telethon was broadcast nationally for the first time on 7flix and streamed live on 7plus.
Singing sensations Jessica Mauboy, Morgan Evans, Kate Miller-Heidke, Reece Mastin and the Rogue Traders performed, while AFL stars Patrick Voss and Harley Reid, WWE stars AJ Styles and Nattie Neidhart and Channel 7 favourites from Home and Away and The Chase helped to drive donations. Emma Memma and The Wiggles’ stars Tsehay Hawkins and Lucia Field were popular amongst little fans.
For this year’s Little Telethon Stars, and their families, it has been an experience they will never forget. And one that Aiden Narsico’s mum, Mira, wishes she could bottle.
Aiden, nine, was born with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome and lives with a permanent tracheostomy. Alongside his fellow Telethon Stars he was hugely popular, quizzing West Coast star Harley Reid about football and mathematical equations, dancing hand-in-hand with Fat Cat and hugging Mr Stokes as the broadcast came to its stunning conclusion.
His mum said her heart was full of gratitude to see Aiden living life to the fullest while he can, as “tomorrow was not promised” for her precious boy.
“He keeps telling me, ‘mum, I hope this weekend never ends,” Mrs Narsico said.
“As a mum, seeing Aiden as happy as that, it’s very emotional, I wish we could bottle up this moment so when we have those darker days, we can just go back to this moment and remember one of the happiest days of our lives.
“He’s had experiences that were dreams of his, whether that’s being on TV, meeting his football idols, running out onto the oval with the Dockers, his dreams have come true thanks to Telethon.”
Olivia Street’s mum Janelle said it was magical to see the kids celebrated on a national stage. Olivia lives with Collagen VI-related Myopathy, a rare genetic condition affecting every muscle in her body, as well as scoliosis.
Everyday activities such as breathing, coughing, chewing and swallowing can require specialised equipment and support.
“It just makes your heart full, watching her have that moment that she doesn’t ordinarily get to have . . . where it’s 100 per cent about her,” Mrs Street said.
“Being Olivia’s mum is a privilege, and watching her in that environment is a privilege.”
Paige McKay’s parents watched on with pride as their daughter, who lives with a rare brain tumour which can’t be safely removed, danced, sang and posed for photos alongside her idol Emma Memma.
“It’s been a privilege for our family to be able to do this, and we are so grateful that she’s well enough to have participated and to have grown as much as she has over the past few months,” her mum Amy McKay said.
“Meeting all these new people, all the new experiences, it makes us a little bit teary to think how far she’s come, and we just appreciate everything so much.”