Article courtesy of The West Australian.
Kerry Stokes has a wonderful way of explaining the effectiveness of Telethon.
The “Father of Telethon” and Seven West Media chair – a mentor to so many West Australian leaders and the driving force behind turning the annual Perth fundraiser into the most successful anywhere in the world – talks about the charity as a satellite dish.
It collects funds from all over the country and as the money filters through a vetting process it is then funnelled to the many, many inspiring organisations doing great things to support our children.
Every dollar raised goes to kids.
That’s what makes Telethon so special – it’s a giant tin rattle heard across the nation that then passes the money directly to the right causes for our children.
As Mr Stokes says, the key to this “satellite effect” is input from all walks of life.
It has to truly be a community appeal.
Yet again this weekend some of WA’s major miners gave huge donations to Telethon – among them Rio Tinto, BHP, Hancock Prospecting across several of its companies, Mineral Resources, South 32, Chevron and Woodside.
Those who may have maligned some of these companies in recent weeks over sports sponsorships would do well to spend a weekend in the west for Telethon to see just how grateful our families battling bravely against the odds with sick children are for their support.
Both the State and the Federal governments donated in a very significant manner.
Premier Mark McGowan lifted last year’s record donation to an astonishing new high of $11 million.
It’s amazing to think that Telethon has now raised more than $500 million over 55 years.
And Prime Minister Anthony Albanese kicked in a significant sum of $6 million just days out from a Federal Budget.
Companies and foundations like the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, the Paul Ramsay Foundation, Tim Roberts Giving, Crown, the Minderoo Foundation, the McCusker Charitable Foundation, APM, Hawaiian and AAIG also dug enormously deep.
But Mr Stokes is always sure to point out that the most important donors are the mums and dads watching or reading from home.
In some cases, from the hospital bedside as they hold their child’s hands.
“It only works from the bottom up and I keep saying to people, the most important donation we get is the $5 pocket money,” he said.
“The kids’ pocket money is what this was built on, lose that and we lose everything else. We’ve got a whole new generation of kids coming through who are going to be Telethon kids.”
It’s amazing to think that Telethon has now raised more than $500 million over 55 years.
Even better to think we’re just getting started and there’s plenty more to do.
Western Australia should be incredibly proud of Telethon – it’s perhaps the thing that makes WA truly the greatest place to live on Earth.
Thanks to all those who donated this year. You can rest assure your money will make the lives of kids in this State better.
Responsibility for the editorial comment is taken by WAN Editor-in-Chief Anthony De Ceglie
