The Channel 7 Telethon Trust is a registered charity dedicated to financially supporting the medical and social welfare of children and young people in WA and fund research into children's diseases. Since its inception, Telethon has raised over $80 million for the children of WA and provided much needed financial assistance to a significant number of children's charitable organisations, children's hospitals and research/medical facilities.
Throughout the year, the Telethon Office (in partnership with many of Perth's leading organisations), coordinates a wide range of fun-filled, fundraising events and promotions. The funds raised from these events and promotions are announced and celebrated each year during the Telethon Weekend in October. National and international celebrities are invited to participate in the Telethon Weekend appeal, a live 24-hour charity appeal held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre. The appeal is broadcast on Channel 7 Perth and GWN.
This year's Telethon Weekend will take place on 4 and 5 October 2008.
Telethon has played host to some of the world's biggest celebrities including; Harry Connick Jnr, Celine Dion, Sammy Davis Jnr, Whitney Houston, Hugh Jackman, Michael Jackson, Julian Lennon, Tina Turner, and Stevie Wonder, along with Australia's leading musicians, performers and actors.
The Telethon weekend event has grown to become the most significant television charity appeal in Australia, in fact, it is regarded as the most successful fundraising event per capita, in the world.
Telethon supports and grants funding to three major beneficiaries each year; TelethonInstitute for Child Health Research,PrincessMargaret Hospitalfor Children , and the Telethon Speech and Hearing Centre . A significant number of other charitable organisations also receive funding from Telethon.
The grants are utilised for the purchase of new medical equipment, aids and devices, undertaking medical research into children's diseases, establishing new facilities, provision of counselling and support services for children and young people.
