- Hundreds of WA school students inspired to raise
more than $115,000 for a much-loved community cause
- Students from 79 schools across WA took part in
the inaugural challenge for sick, vulnerable, and disadvantaged children
- Challenge included a storytelling competition
for students to reflect on what Telethon means to them
Premier Roger Cook has
today recognised the incredible fundraising efforts of hundreds of students
across Western Australia who have raised $115,181 in the inaugural Premier's
Telethon Challenge.
Students from 79 schools showed
generosity, empathy and collaboration throughout the challenge, while finding
creative ways to gather community funds for vulnerable children.
They held pyjama and
dress-up days, raffles, fun runs, sausage sizzles, crazy sock days and
second-hand book sales.
Leading the philanthropic
charge was a small school in Geraldton, St Francis Xavier Primary School, which
topped the fundraising ladder by raising more than $25,000 for Telethon.
Students at the Catholic
primary school were inspired by a visit to Perth Children's Hospital as part of
their year 6 camp.
As part of the challenge, schools
also submitted pieces to the 'Kids helping kids' storytelling competition, where
they reflected on their experiences of charitable giving.
They were invited to
explore the subject using any written or static visual medium, including short
stories, posters, photography and more.
The
challenge spanned across Terms 2 and 3, and three schools topped the
fundraising table within each size category:
- Small school: Durham Road School raised
$2,064;
- Medium school: St Francis Xavier
Primary School raised $25,083; and
- Large school: Mindarie Primary School raised
$18,048.
The storytelling
competition winners were:
Ashdale Primary School
- The Helping Club by Jisha Bhavsar, year 2. Ashdale Primary School's year 6
students ran a charity day where they coordinated a range of stalls and
activities, raising $340 for Telethon.
Yakamia Primary School,
year 6 Telethon student ambassadors - Oakley Greay, Ben Cramer, Paniha
Thompson, Millie Stone and Megan Ollis.In 2025 the school raised over
$7,000 for Telethon, taking their five-year total to more than $32,000.
Halls Head College
Storm Bugden, Callum Berrisford and Charlotte Hemsley, year 12. Written from Storm's
Point of View, the piece is a combined entry from the three students who were
personally touched by cancer.
Comments attributed to Premier Roger Cook:
"I am thrilled to learn that students from across Western
Australia have embraced the spirit of giving in such an enthusiastic way
throughout this challenge.
"It's important for
students to learn about giving back to their communities - especially to their
peers.
"I am told that many
students who took part in the Premier's Telethon Challenge have themselves
benefited in some way from this very worthy cause that has helped so many
families over the past five decades.
"These future community
leaders are supporting Telethon's critical work in improving lives across
Western Australia. The funds they have raised will make a real difference for
children in need now and in the future.
"Congratulations to them
all and I thank them for their outstanding efforts."
Comments attributed to Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"Western Australian
students have done themselves proud giving up their own time and dedicating
themselves to supporting sick and disadvantaged children in Western Australia.
"It's both heartwarming
and inspiring to see this theme of 'Kids helping kids' come to fruition in such
a successful first challenge.
"I am excited to hear
about all the ways our students have learnt about the importance of helping
others."
