Records fall at Forum's best Telethon fundraiser

Bunbury Forum’s Telethon event smashed its previous record to raise $50,850 this year, bringing the total to more than $500,000 since it started 13 years ago.

A big crowd flocked to the Forum on Sunday to celebrate the annual Telethon Family Fun Day and meet Home and Away stars Nic Westaway (Kyle Braxton) and Andrew Morley (Spencer Harrington) and The Morning Show presenter Glenn Wheeler.

Centre manager Vern Merchant it was great to see so many people get involved.

“It was sensational to see kids and families donating anything they could,” he said.

“It’s not just about breaking records, it’s about community engagement.”

Fat Cat and Doopa Dog provided entertainment, while there was also face painting, balloon artists, bouncy castles, a sausage sizzle, a magician, the Boogie Roos and a kids fun station.

The community opened their hearts and wallets to break last year’s total of $47,395.

Telethon raised a record $20,701,272 million this year, bringing the total since it started in 1968 to more than $150 million.

Over the past 46 years, WA’s biggest charity event has helped improve the lives of thousands of WA children by raising money for Princess Margaret Hospital, the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research and around 50 other beneficiaries.

Redwave Media general manager Ian Kennedy presented the West Australian Newspapers’ $190,000 donation to Telethon.

WA Regional Newspapers’ contribution to the total was just over $40,000.