Get ready to dig deep and donate to the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation as all the fun and excitement of the Gold Telethon is broadcast live on Monday.
This annual telethon extravaganza has raised more than $42 million over the past decade, and to celebrate its 10th year everyone is invited to the biggest pyjama party on television.
TODAY Extra’s David Campbell will host the all-day broadcast, along with 10-year-oldOllie who returns as the courageous face of the Gold Telethon for 2019. Viewers fell in love with Ollie and his indomitable spirit last year, learning of his battle with a rare illness called VACTERL association, which resulted in a foot amputation at the age of five and over 30 major operations including open heart surgery.
Joining them throughout the day are Nine’s favourite personalities including TODAY’s Deb Knight, Georgie Gardner and Richard Wilkins, TODAY Extra’s Sonia Kruger, Weekend TODAY’s Jayne Azzopardi, Wide World of Sports’ James Bracey, as well as Peter Overton, Cameron Williams, Belinda Russell, Davina Smith and Dimity Clancy from Nine News.
The Voice superstar coaches Delta Goodrem, Boy George, Kelly Rowland and Guy Sebastian will hit the telethon stage, along with The Voice 2019 artists Prinnie Stevens,Jesse Teinake, Kristie Mercer, Chriddy Black, Tannah and Luke Zancanaro, and Kim Sheehy. Country music star Amber Lawrence will perform and chart-topping artist Stan Walker will sing his new single, live.
Also joining the fun are family favourites Jimmy Giggle and The Wiggles, LEGO Masterschampions Henry and Cade who will tackle some exciting challenges, and illusionists The Blackties weaving their spellbinding magic.
A host of familiar Nine stars will support the appeal by taking viewers’ donations on the phone. They include The Block’s Scott Cam, Neale Whitaker, Darren Palmer andHayden and Sara, Love Islands’ Sophie Monk and Tayla Damir, Doctor Doctor’s Tina Bursill, Chloe Bayliss and Belinda Bromilow, and the Fren family from Travel Guides.
Married at First Sight’s Michael will aim to raise $20,000 with a personal pledge that will see his wife, Martha, cutting off his luscious locks for the worthy cause. Joining them to show their support will be fellow MAFS participants Nic, Elizabeth, and Cam and Jules.
Netballers Kiera Austin and Jaime-Lee Price from the Giants will lend a hand, as well as stars from the NRL including Martin Taupau from the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
Throughout the day there will be remarkable stories of inspiration and hope, including a brave 15-year-old boy affected by an extremely rare disorder called Dyrk1a Syndrome; a resilient six-year-old girl mastering her new myoelectric arm; and the courageous young boy battling a rare form of acute myeloid leukaemia who isn’t about to let life’s challenges get him down.
There will also be regular live crosses to TODAY’s Steve Jacobs and A Current Affair’sSylvia Jeffreys at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.
Nine Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Marks, is urging all Aussies to donate and make a difference.
“Now in its tenth year, the Gold Telethon promises to be a day full of fun, entertainment and surprises. The staff at the Sydney Children’s Hospital work tirelessly to support sick kids and their families across New South Wales and Australia, and this will be a day for viewers to dig deep and show their support for such a worthwhile cause,” Mr Marks said.
“I am again humbled by the hard work of everyone involved, including those behind the scenes and the on-air talent. With the generosity of major partners and the community, we aim to raise more than six million dollars in this year’s Gold Telethon.”.
Viewers can donate on the day by calling 1800 244 537, texting GOLD to 0477 333 555, or visiting the Gold Telethon website.
