The spirit of the fundraiser was in full swing on Saturday as celebrities visited sick children and their families at Perth Children’s Hospital for the first time since the start of the COVID pandemic.
The Channel 7 stars spent part of the afternoon making some Washington kids smile ahead of the 55th weekend of the Telethon.
Joining Sonia Kruger, David Koch, Natalie Barr, Mark Beretta and Larry Emdur was Manu Feildel, who brought the glamor of a celebrity chef to the children’s hallways.
Also on deck were some of the cast from Home and Away including Lynne McGranger, Ada Nicodemou, Matt Evans, Jacqui Purvis, Luke Van Os, Kirsty Marillier and Juliet Godwin.
camera iconHayden Wall (3) with David Koch and Natalie Barr. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The Western Australian
Better Homes and Gardens stars Charlie Albone and Juliet Love turned up, and of course Fat Cat, as two separate COVID-safe groups navigated the stations and interacted with kids and their parents.
One of those children was Jas McGough, who broke her spine after falling off her mountain bike while on vacation with her family in Margaret River.
Despite the best efforts of the medical staff, her injuries were too severe and she suffered a complete C5 spinal cord injury.
camera iconJasmine (14) and Sophie McGough with Mark Beretta and Larry Emdur. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The Western Australian
The Trigg teenager wakes up every morning at sunrise, and when the station’s stars walked into her room, it was “pretty cool.”
“It was so nice to talk to them and how they do their shows. I wake up to sunrise every morning so mom wakes me up every morning and it’s cool to see her in real life, just in my room,” the 14-year-old said.
The visit was made even more special by the shared passion for cycling. Sports presenter Berretta’s brother owns a bike shop and he told Jas how his love of sports stemmed from his brother’s business.
“He loves it too, it was nice to connect on that level,” said Jas’ mother Sophie.
camera iconQuinn Moir (11) with Fat Cat. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The Western Australian
The McGough family, like many other families in Perth, watch the Telethon every year, but this year was different.
“It’s cool to see the other side of it, to be part of trying to support all the kids here, some are in worse shape than me, but also to help me and help raise money for this cause ‘ said Jas.
Beretta said it was great to be back for “the best weekend of the year”.
“It puts into perspective what this is about and the incredible facility here at PCH and the work they do,” he said.
camera iconKrishna and Marley (15) Johansson with home and away stars. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The Western Australian
He will leave the state with “a great feeling of having done something good”.
“The kids are amazing, they’re so resilient, they can get thrown into anything and just keep going,” he said. “Sometimes you see it with their parents, the distress and the months of treatment, and they try to enforce that, they deal with it every day.”
About three weeks ago, Hayden Wall was taken to hospital with a cold, but after a chest x-ray doctors found the three-year-old had an enlarged heart.
Now at PCH, the “independent playground king” is not being held back by his disability.
Parents Shannon and Jo said the medical staff did everything they could for their son.
“It’s just hard, there was no sign that he had any heart problems or anything like that. . . This is an obstacle he cannot overcome,” Mr Wall said.
The normally outgoing little boy was a bit overwhelmed by all the celebs during the visit, but his dad said it was great to meet them.
camera iconFat cat. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The Western Australian
Through the Do It For Hayden campaign, the Byford family has raised more than $10,000 for the telethon.
Little four-year-old Sophia Donovan was “thrilled” when Fat Cat came to visit. Her mother Abbey said it was great to see her daughter smile.
Sophia has been at PCH for about a week after developing a high fever and severe swelling throughout her body, including her arms and legs, while medical staff are urgently trying to diagnose the inflammation.
Four-year-old Rafael spent some time chatting up Sonia Kruger alongside his brother Dominic.
“It was so nice to see the kids perk up, it was pretty awesome, Sonia was lovely, she’s so good with the kids,” said the siblings’ mother Zavia Buccini.
camera iconDominic (3) and Rafael (4) Buccini with Sonia Kruger. Credit: Ross Swanborough/The Western Australian
Larry Emdur, co-host of The Morning Show and host of The Chase Australia, was speechless after the “very emotional” but “special” visit.
“The visit is so special, it reminds us all what Telethon is and a kickstart to fully understand what the weekend is about,” he said.
He said he missed being back in Perth after being involved in the telethon for so many years.
“I can not describe it. . . It’s an amazing event, the incredible financial and emotional support, there’s so much love surrounding the event,” he said. “I have a deep love and appreciation for families. It’s such highly potent stuff.”
Perth-raised Home and Away actress Juliet Godwin said she’s looking forward to being back in her hometown and helping to put smiles on people’s faces.
“It’s so special to be back in Perth, it’s also the best place to come home to – West is best,” she said.
“It fills me with great joy to be part of the fundraising marathon and to help raise money for such an important cause.”
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