Telethon will be able to harness the power of school fundraising this year after the launch of the first Premier’s Telethon Challenge, encouraging schools and students to get involved with raising money.
Premier Roger Cook visited Subiaco Primary School on Tuesday morning to announce the inaugural challenge to support the beloved charity.
It will begin from term two this year, with awards for the highest fundraising primary school and high school.
Schools can fundraise through whichever means they wish, including classroom classics like a cake stall or free-dress day.
Mr Cook said it was an opportunity to teach the next generation about the importance of giving.
“We all love Telethon, it does two really important things, one it gives back to the community, it’s about raising money for research and services for kids who are less fortunate than our own,” he said.
“But also the other important thing it does is it provides people with an opportunity to give and teaches kids about the importance of giving.
“My Telethon Challenge is about continuing to encourage the kids of Western Australia to do everything they can.
“It’s about kids helping kids and really future proofing Telethon so that the kids of today realise the benefits of supporting Telethon and the kids of the future understand the importance as well.”
There will also be prizes for writing, with students in primary and high schools encouraged to submit a written piece about their experience or feelings about Telethon, or one which discusses giving to charity.
Education Minister Tony Buti said he was excited to see the enthusiasm from the youngest West Australians.
“If you’ve grown up in WA, you know about Telethon, how important it is to medical research, to charitable causes and to learn about giving,” he said.
“This Premier’s Telethon Challenge is all about empathy, collaboration and for kids to learn about the benefits of charity and giving.”
In 2024, Telethon raised a whopping $83.26 million and it is hoped with even more funds raised from the roughly 1100 schools across the State, that number will be able to grow even larger.
Telethon chair Richard Goyder AO said the challenge would provide even more support for the charity.
“The Premier’s Telethon Challenge is a wonderful new initiative to inspire a culture of empathy, philanthropy, and community spirit amongst our school students — the next generation of changemakers,” Mr Goyder said.
“Telethon is so much more than a charity, Telethon is a celebration of the generosity and kindness of West Australians who unite yearly to support and give hope to our most sick and vulnerable children.
“Throughout its 58-year history — Telethon has inspired generosity amongst children who want to fundraise and donate their pocket money to help other kids.
“In 2025, we are excited to see this new program roll out and look forward to the creativity and generosity of WA students as more and more schools across the State come together to make a positive difference in their communities.”
#Telethon #set #harness #power #school #fundraisers #Premiers #Telethon #Challenge
