Telethon 2024: Premier Roger Cook dials up the fun for PCH kids relying on fundraiser

Roger Cook took a break from his role as Premier on Thursday to concentrate on a more important job — flying the flag for Telethon.

Mr Cook visited Perth Children’s Hospital to meet some of the fundraising extravaganza’s many beneficiaries, including six-year-old Shay Hart, who took the opportunity to give him a health check.

The Premier clowned around, strummed the ukulele and chatted with families who have effectively moved into PCH for treatment that is often traumatic.

And after Shay got out his stethoscope, Mr Cook challenged the people of WA to show some heart for Telethon in 2024.

“Everyone get behind Telethon, dig deep and give until your heart sings,” Mr Cook said. “It’s such an important event.”

He also urged big business to get involved.

“We know with the cost-of-living pressures at the moment, it’s going to be even harder for families to dig that little bit deeper,” Mr Cook said.

“We want our big miners, our big players in the community and West Australian economy to do their best just to make sure that Telethon 2024 is a great success.”

The State Government led by example last year, donating a record $12 million.

Since 1968, Telethon has raised more than $600 million for WA’s and has provided financial support to a record 136 beneficiaries in 2024, proving the accuracy of this year’s theme, Incredible Together.

Mr Cook was joined by representatives from Kiind, The Humour Foundation’s clown doctors, HeartKids, Starlight Foundation, Kids Cancer Support Group and Radio Lollipop, who all operate from within PCH.

“We provide the medical care, they provide the health care,” Mr Cook said.

Shay was diagnosed with Wilms tumour — a malignant kidney cancer — in June, forcing his family to relocate to PCH from Esperance, for surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Mother Melanie Hart said she has been overwhelmed by the extra support provided by Telethon-funded services at the hospital.

“We left our jobs, our support network and pretty much upended our whole life to come here and we are in the middle of treatment, which is pretty much life for us for the next few months,” she said.

“These organisations have definitely filled a few gaps for us, Kids Cancer Support group have been really good.

“They come and visit on the ward, they bring the toy trolley, they do pizza nights.”

The Hart family has always watched Telethon and donated, but now they want to volunteer.

“It’s been really comforting,” Ms Hart said.

“Shay really looks forward to the clown doctors coming around, Camp Quality, all the different organisations just cheer him up after he’s had a really full-on day.

“I always watched Telethon, but I never really became invested as much as I am now. We see where the money goes, it’s so important.”

It means families and children like Shay can access support and equipment long term and for free.

Kiind connects families of children with neuro-divergent disabilities, rare diseases or high medical needs to support and now has about 6500 members after receiving grants from Telethon to help its office inside PCH grow.

“We provide them some additional supports to make their journey a little less overwhelming and a little less lonely,” Kiind’s Teresa Dixon said.

“We have exponential growth and because of that funding we’re able to meet up with more families each year.

“There’s no cost to families, we can be there for them when they need us ... The funding means we’re there for life, so we support families whose children have a diagnosis from zero to 30 years.”

Telethon will be held on October 19 and 20, and broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7plus.

Everyone is invited to watch and attend the Telethon Family Festival in Wellington Street and Yagan Square on Sunday, October 20.

Mr Cook said it is the biggest fundraiser worldwide on a per-capita basis and WA should be proud.

“Telethon is uniquely Western Australia,” he said.

“I want people to see their dollars hard at work here (at PCH), this is what Telethon is all about. Making sure that as a community we put our arms around each other and help those who are doing it the toughest.”