Telethon 2026 has raised a record $101,277,705 for children and families across Western Australia, after a 26-hour broadcast at Perth’s RAC Arena drew donations from communities, businesses and the State Government.
The result, announced in the final moments of the 59th annual event, takes the total raised by Telethon to more than $850 million since it began supporting children living with illness, disability and disadvantage.
A $5 million contribution from Telethon trustees Kerry Stokes and Christine Simpson Stokes pushed the appeal beyond the $100 million mark. The pair announced the final tally alongside nine-year-old Little Telethon Star Aiden Narsico.
Every dollar raised will go to dozens of medical and research beneficiaries working with children and their families. The projects include a world-first programme aimed at improving survival prospects for extremely premature babies, as well as therapy and support for children with serious health conditions.
Telethon chair Richard Goyder thanked Western Australians for maintaining their support, saying both community contributions and calls to the phone room had increased on the previous 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.
Western Australians rally behind Telethon 2026
Premier Roger Cook announced a record $18 million State Government contribution and said the weekend had left him feeling proud of the 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 their sickest and most vulnerable kids,” he said.
Donations came from across the State despite the cost of living crisis. Fundraising efforts included 12-hour dance marathons, school cookie dough sales, sausage sizzles, workplace morning teas and individual endurance challenges.
Western Australia’s corporate sector also made a major contribution, with the Telethon Ball raising $25 million.
The event was broadcast nationally for the first time on 7flix and streamed live on 7plus, bringing politicians, business leaders, performers and sporting figures together in Perth.
Jessica Mauboy, Morgan Evans, Kate Miller-Heidke, Reece Mastin and the Rogue Traders performed during the broadcast. AFL players Patrick Voss and Harley Reid, WWE stars AJ Styles and Nattie Neidhart, and cast members from Home and Away and The Chase also took part.
Children’s entertainers Emma Memma and The Wiggles performers Tsehay Hawkins and Lucia Field were among the most popular guests with younger viewers.
Little Telethon Stars share the spotlight
For the event’s three Little Telethon Stars, the weekend brought a series of memorable experiences alongside the fundraising appeal.
Aiden Narsico, who has congenital central hypoventilation syndrome and lives with a permanent tracheostomy, quizzed West Coast player Harley Reid about football and mathematical equations, danced with Fat Cat and joined Mr Stokes to announce the final amount.
His mother, Mira Narsico, said she was grateful to see her son enjoying the experience while he could, adding that “tomorrow was not promised” for him.
“He keeps telling me, ‘mum, I hope this weekend never ends,’” she 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.”
Olivia Street, who lives with Collagen VI-related Myopathy and scoliosis, requires specialised equipment and support for everyday activities including breathing, coughing, chewing and swallowing.
Her mother, Janelle Street, said it had been special to see Olivia celebrated on a national stage.
“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,” she said.
Paige McKay, who lives with a rare brain tumour that cannot be safely removed, danced and sang alongside her idol Emma Memma during the broadcast.
Her mother, Amy McKay, said the family was grateful Paige had been well enough to take part and had grown in confidence over the preceding months.
“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,” she said.
