Nine will broadcast all the fun and entertainment of the eighth annual Gold Telethon in aid of Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation LIVE next Monday, June 12, from 9.00am to 4.00pm AEST.

The telethon extravaganza – which has raised over $24 million over the past seven years – will be hosted by Nine’s favourite personalities, including  TODAY’s Karl Stefanovic, Lisa Wilkinson and Richard Wilkins, TODAY Extra’s Sonia Kruger and David Campbell, as well as House Husband’s Julia Morris, Weekend TODAY’s Deborah Knight, The NRL Footy Show’s Erin Molan and 9News’ Cameron Williams and Peter Overton.  

The Voice coaches – five-time Grammy Award winner, celebrated singer, songwriter and author, Kelly Rowland, and vocalist, producer, author, DJ and frontman of hit group Culture Club, Boy George – will also be lending their support.

There’ll also be live crosses throughout the day to TODAY’s Natalia Cooper and Sylvia Jeffreys at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.  

Some of Australia’s top artists will perform live on the telethon, including Aussie rock band Sheppard, singer and actress Casey Donovan, The Voice 2017’s Sally Skelton, SONY artists Jess and Matt and Eurovision’s Isiah. Also joining in the day will be comedians Akmal Saleh and Tahir, and little surfing legend and TODAY favourite Sabre Norris.  

A host of familiar faces, including Channel Nine stars and sports stars, will support the appeal by taking donations on the phone. They will include Chopper’s Michael Caton, The NRL Footy Show’s Beau Ryan, Love Child’s Andy Ryan, Sophie Hensser Bloom, Danielle Catanzariti, Darcie Irwin Simpson, Sophia Forrest, Dan Hamill,  Here Come the Habibs’ Michael Denkah,  Rob Shehadie, Sam Alhaje,  Georgia Flood, Kat Hoyos, Tyler De Nawi, Doctor Doctor’s Rodger Corser, Hayley McElhinney,  Ryan Johnson, Belinda Bromilow,  Charles Wu and Brittany Clark, as well The Block’s Darren Palmer, Australian Ninja Warrior’s Ben Fordham, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, players from the NSW Swifts,  Penrith Panthers stars and many more.

CEO at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, Nicola Stokes said:  “Gold Telethon brings our patients, hospital staff and volunteers together with celebrities, corporate partners and the State government to give sick and injured kids the opportunity to live their healthiest possible lives. It’s truly heart-warming and inspiring to be part of such an extraordinary and diverse community appeal.  

“We’re asking everyone to dig deep and help us reach an all-important $6 million target so that the hospital can continue to provide the best care for our children now and into the future.”  

Last year’s Gold Telethon raised $5.5 million to help the sick and injured children of NSW and beyond – thanks to the generosity of the community and major partners. Over the last few years, funds raised have gone towards ground-breaking research and critical frontline services as well as to help purchase essential medical equipment like the cystoscope to be used on babies and young children with complex kidney problems.

9Now will also be live streaming the Gold Telethon nationwide.

DID YOU KNOW 
• Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick treats more than 61,500 children each year
• On average, more than 100 children a day will come through the Emergency Department
• At any one time, there are 400 patients receiving cancer treatment in the hospital
• 1,700 people work at the hospital, including 595 nurses and 300 research staff
• Child Life Therapists use about five kilograms of “play dough” every month
• On average,  hospital staff use approximately two litres of bubbles every day to distract or entertain patients
• More than 100 children a day attend the emergency department
• More than 50% of patients admitted are under five years of age
• Each month more than 500 children undergo surgery
• 1,200 patients and siblings are enrolled in the hospital’s school
• The hospital has 160 beds on average
• Each month 244 ambulances arrive at the emergency department
• Each year 744 limb fractures are treated in the Emergency Department 
• Each year there are more than 320,000 outpatient appointments
• Each year 10,400 band-aids are used in the emergency department
• Each year more than 11,000 “icy poles are given to recovering patients in Emergency and post-surgery
 
How to donate on the day:
• Call 1800 CHILDREN (244 537)
• Log on to www.goldtelethon.org.au  
• SMS GOLD to 0477 333 555
 
 Social Media:
• #GoldTelethon   #Goldmoments   #Goldappeal
• LIKE Channel 9 on Facebook or FOLLOW @Channel 9 on Twitter and Instagram
• LIKE Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation on Facebook or FOLLOW @Sydney_Kids on Twitter and Instagram

For further information please contact:
Nine Network Publicity
Lis Clough
02 9965 4566
0413 388 046
lclough@nine.com.au 

Friday, June 9, 2017