Get ready to dig deep and donate to the Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation as Nine broadcasts all the fun and excitement of the ninth Gold Telethon LIVE this Monday, June 11, from 9.00am AEST on Nine and 9Now. 

This annual telethon extravaganza, which has raised more than $30 million over the past eight years, will for the first time embrace the theme of The Greatest Showman, with TODAY Extra’s David Campbell leading the spectacle as ringmaster. 

Joining him are Nine’s favourite personalities including TODAY’s Karl Stefanovic, Georgie Gardner and Richard Wilkins, TODAY Extra’s Sonia Kruger, Weekend TODAY’s Peter Stefanovic and Jayne Azzopardi, Wide World of Sports’ James Bracey, as well as Peter Overton, Deborah Knight and Belinda Russell from Nine News.

A variety of Australia’s top artists will hit the telethon stage, including chart-topping band Sheppard performing their new single, Hometown, Human Nature’s Andrew Tierney with his newly formed pop duo Finding Faith, as well as Aussie singer/songwriter Anthony Callea.  

Standout artists from The Voice 2018 will also grace the stage, with Brock Ashby, Jacinta Gulisano, Josh Richards and Erin Whetters set to perform their rendition of hits from The Greatest Showman. And Voice superstar coach Joe Jonas will present a heartwarming story from his recent visit to the Sydney Children’s Hospital. 

Australian Ninja Warrior’s Ben Fordham will pop by with some of your favourite ninjas from the 2017 hit series, The NRL Footy Show’s Beau Ryan and Daryl “Big Marn” Brohman will have some surprises, and Gentlemen of Deceit will wow viewers with their extraordinary tricks of illusion. Australia’s leading lady of theatre, Rhonda Burchmore, will also drop into the telethon studio, as will New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian. 

Throughout the day there’ll be live crosses to TODAY’s Sylvia Jeffreys and Tim Gilbert at the Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.  

A host of familiar Nine stars will support the appeal by taking viewers’ donations on the phone. They include The Block’s Scott Cam, Married at First Sight’s Ryan, Dean, Justin, Nasser, Blair and Gabrielle, Doctor Doctor’s Matt Castley, Brittany Clark and Chloe Bayliss, and the Fren family from Travel Guides. 

Netballers Helen Housby and Paige Hadley from the NSW Swifts will lend a hand, as will funnyman and TV/radio personality Merrick Watts. 

During the all-day broadcast viewers will also meet Ollie, the courageous face of the Gold Telethon 2018. Despite being diagnosed with a rare illness called VACTERL association, having his foot amputated at the age of five and undergoing 28 major operations including open heart surgery, this nine-year-old boy’s indominable spirit is inspirational. 

Nine Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Marks, commended the entire telethon team who have worked tirelessly, donating their time to such a worthwhile cause.  

“It’s a massive effort, and every year I am humbled by the hard work and commitment of all involved, including the on-air talent and those behind the camera. The Gold Telethon promises to be a day of great entertainment, and above all an opportunity for viewers to dig deep and raise funds to support the vital work of the Sydney Children’s Hospital,” he said. 

“We know how brilliantly the hospital staff work to support children and their families across New South Wales, in fact Australia, when they are at their most vulnerable. We thank them for all their hard work, and together with the generosity of the community and major partners look forward to raising in excess of $6 million 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. 9Now will also live stream the Gold Telethon nationally. 

DID YOU KNOW… 

• Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick treats almost 70,000 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

• Over 1,700 people work at the hospital

• 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

• Each month more than 500 children undergo surgery

• 1,200 patients and siblings are enrolled in the hospital’s school

• The hospital has over 160 beds on average

• Each year there are almost 270,000 outpatient appointments

• Each year 10,400 band-aids are used in the emergency department

• Each year more than 11,000 iceblocks are given to recovering patients in emergency and post-surgery

2018 GOLD TELETHON  
MONDAY, JUNE 11, LIVE FROM 9.00AM ON NINE AND 9NOW


HOW TO DONATE ON THE DAY: 

CALL 1800 244 537, VISIT THE GOLD TELETHON WEBSITE
OR SMS ‘GOLD’ TO 0477 333 555

#GoldTelethon   #Goldmoments   #Goldappeal

For further information please contact:  
Nine Network Publicity
Peter Brennan 
pebrennan@nine.com.au 

Friday, June 8, 2018