Telethon 2024: WA praised as community fundraisers break huge record, raising more than $1 million

From bake sales to amazing feats of personal endurance, Telethon’s community fundraisers have hit a historic milestone, raising more than $1 million for the first time — epitomising this year’s theme of being incredible together.

In the months, weeks and days of the lead up — and in the hours that make up Telethon weekend — it was the generosity of everyday individuals and community groups across the State which was apparent everywhere.

For the first time in Telethon’s history, the total from community fundraisers — the kids, schools, clubs, families and groups who bake cakes, sell lemonade, hold movie nights and challenge themselves — have raised more than $1.3m.

That does not include donations through the call centre or online, nor does it include customers donating at supermarkets or the corporate partners. It’s simply hardworking members of the community who don’t just donate, but go above and beyond all year round.

They include champions such as swimmer Andy Donaldson, who completed a marathon swim from Rottnest to Elizabeth Quay, raising more than $30,000.

Fresh out of the ocean on Sunday morning, he could not help but smile despite admitting “it was a bit bumpy at times” on his way to the coast.

“Felt like a bit of a washing machine,” Mr Donaldson said. “But you know, when you’re doing it for a cause like Telethon and for the kids of WA you find that extra gear.”

Sponsored by the Perron Institute, Mr Donaldson — the first person to swim the world’s seven toughest channel swims in 12 months — said this trek was just a small contribution to the weekend’s efforts.

“I love trying to help a good cause,” he aid. “The world’s a challenging place at the moment, things like mental health are widespread, and I want to just do my small part to to help the cause.

“Telethon is such an incredible organisation. They support so many people. Youth mental health is one of those causes that they support.

“Everyone’s pitching in, and I’m a swimmer, so swimming is the thing I do.”

After a short rest at Leighton Beach, Mr Donaldson was joined by Premier Roger Cook and Dockers legend David Mundy for a 4km run to Mosman Bay.

“I can’t believe this guy — he’s just swam in what looks like some really difficult conditions,” Mr Cook said.

“He’s going to come out, smash it across to Mossie Park and then jump back in the water and swim all the way to Barrack Street.

“He’s an incredible guy, but he’s running for an amazing cause, and it’s so great to be part of it.”

Someone else who put their body on the line for WA’s sick kids was Joshua Ferguson, who on Sunday finished his herculean effort of running 50km a day for 50 days. The 20-year-old personal trainer was cheered on by a crowd of kids as he finished the last 100m of his final run at RAC Arena.

His extraordinary effort pounding the pavement for about six hours a day for almost two months raised almost $13,000.

“It has taken every bit of my being to get it done,” Mr Ferguson said.

“As the days went by, my body got a bit worse and worse, but it was all worth it for Telethon.

“It’s a beautiful charity.”

Last year, he raised $9500 for Telethon by completing 24 hours on a treadmill.

Then, there are the kids who have spent their spare time setting up fundraisers, like sibling group Kids Helping Kids, who convinced their former school on the other side of the world in Canada to help them raise money.

Jade Winder and her siblings Hope and Thomas have been fundraising for Telethon for the past eight years in WA, so when they moved to Canada last year for some time abroad they kept up their efforts before moving back to Perth.

“We got our school involved and we did a pyjama day at our school,” Jade said.

“All the money from that went to Telethon and we also did driveway bake sales. The school in Canada thought it was a really good cause. Some kids are less fortunate than us, so we just want to help them out.”

Quentin Fitzgerald, otherwise known as the Cupcake King, has been selling cupcakes for the cause since he was six.

The 12-year-old, who was inspired to start fundraising after losing his stepsister to SIDS and losing his dad to cancer, raised a whopping $12,000 this year.

At the Ballajura Community Fair, Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti took the plunge for a good cause when she was dunked.

It took just three attempts for Ballajura Community College deputy principal Bruno Pileggi to strike the target with a ball which triggered Ms Saffioti’s descent into the tank. “I planned to miss the first couple just to get the stress going,” Mr Pileggi laughed.

“I think I’ll sleep well tonight.”

Before her dousing, Ms Saffioti had tried to brush the nerves away.

“I’ve never been in a dunking machine. So this is my first time. But, of course, it’s for Telethon, so it’ll be fun,” she said.

Smiling as she splashed down, Ms Saffioti received applause from spectators.

Poynter Primary School students were among the kids fundraising, getting a total of $3829 for children across the State through a disco and selling rainbow-coloured baked treats.

“It’s just great to help other people,” one of the students said.

There were others who made money through challenges like 10-year-old Zoe Hemsley.

She was a part of a group riding air bikes for 24 hours and raised thousands.

“It feels really nice to be helping all the kids in the hospital because some kids just don’t get the chance to do what other kids can do and it’s actually quite sad,” Zoe said.

“Just because they’ve got a disability, it doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t have all the opportunities. I think they should be allowed to do a lot of things and I think it’s really nice that Telethon helps them and raises so much money.”

Dan the Skate Man raised more than $20,000 skating 400km around Optus Stadium for 24 hours, while the Royal Kings Park Tennis Club played back-to-back tennis for 25 hours.