Yesterday’s tenth annual Gold Telethon has raised $6,156,915 for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation in Randwick, with companies and viewers around New South Wales digging deeper than ever. 

Nine Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Marks, was overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity.  

“To raise this much money is truly an incredible result. Thank you to all those involved in putting together an amazing telethon, both in front of and behind the camera,” Mr Marks said. “Everyone here at Nine is humbled by the way New South Wales opened their hearts and their wallets to help the children and their families in our community who need it the most.”

Nicola Stokes, CEO of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation, added: “Thanks to this inspiring collective effort we have raised over $6.1 million for the latest equipment, ground-breaking medical research and vital services. The extraordinary care and priceless gifts these funds can provide, like a child learning to walk again after surgery or the peace of mind a parent feels after months of worry, are worth far more than their weight in gold. 
 
“A huge thank you to everyone who donated and got involved with our Gold Appeal. Your support will give every child the chance to thrive.”

Today Extra’s David Campbell hosted yesterday’s telethon “pyjama party”, along with 10-year-old Ollie who returned as the courageous face of the Gold Telethon for 2019. Joining the fun were Nine’s favourite personalities including TODAY’s Georgie Gardner, Deb Knight and Richard Wilkins, TODAY Extra’s Sonia Kruger, Weekend TODAY’s Jayne Azzopardi, Wide World of Sports’ James Bracey, as well as Dimity Clancey from ACA, Peter Overton, Cameron Williams, Belinda Russell and Davina Smith from Nine News.

The Voice superstar coaches Delta Goodrem, Boy George, Kelly Rowland and Guy Sebastian joined in the fun, along with an impressive lineup of Australia’s top performers including Mahalia Barnes, Jade MacRae and country music star Amber Lawrence. Chat-topping artist Stan Walker also performed his new single, New Light.   

Throughout the day an army of stars donned their pyjamas and were kept busy taking a frenzy of donation calls, including The Block’s Scott Cam, Neale Whitaker and Hayden and Sara, Love Island’s 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 surpassed his fundraising goal of $20,000 with a personal pledge that saw his wife, Martha, cut off his luscious locks for the worthy cause. 

There is still time to donate to the 2019 Gold Telethon by visiting the Gold Telethon website. 
 
DID YOU KNOW
• Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick treats more than 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 2,000 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 more than 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
 
For further information please contact:  
Nine Network Publicity
02 9965 2727
 
Tuesday, June 11, 2019