Telethon 2024: Yakamia Primary School presents $5719 cheque to Telethon on Family Festival day in Perth

Three students from Yakamia Primary School showed off their charitable spirit on live television at the weekend, presenting a cheque for more than $5700 for sick children at Telethon.

Year 6 students Emma Elliot, Braxton Kingi, and Jaxon Lapthorne travelled to Perth to represent the school as Telethon ambassadors at the Telethon Family Festival on Sunday.

They presented the cheque to Human Nature band member Phil Burton during the broadcast and received a special medallion from the Premier.

With the help of teacher Raelene Scott, the sixth graders raised $5719 through a variety of raffles, food sales and themed dress days.

Braxton described his experience as an ambassador as “really, really good”.

“It goes to a good cause and all the money raised helps the sick kids in need in WA,” he said.

“The best parts were meeting all the mascots and watching the money go up because I know it goes to a good cause and it was awesome to see.”

Ms Scott, who started the school’s initiative four years ago, said the generosity of the school community was “phenomenal”.

“We have had such great support for all of our fundraisers,” she said.

“The experience of attending Telethon was fantastic and the students got so much from being able to attend and see what Telethon is and does for children in WA.”

The students were also three of 45 of the most “deserving” ambassadors, receiving gold-plated medallions from Premier Roger Cook, who did a special meet and greet to present them with their medallions and certificate of appreciation.

Yakamia PS principal Gemma Larham said she was honoured that the students’ efforts were acknowledged with the medal.

“We truly appreciated that Premier Cook took the time to meet with our students and award them this medallion since they weren’t able to make the ceremony held earlier in the week,” she said.

“As a school, we are very proud to be involved with Telethon and the efforts of our Telethon ambassadors and Miss Scott.

“After being involved with Telethon for a number of years now, our students recognise the importance of giving to make a difference to the lives of sick children across WA, and we are grateful for the support our school community gives to donate and get behind fundraising for Telethon.

“The Telethon ambassadors is a wonderful initiative for kids helping kids.“

Member for Albany Rebecca Stephens offered her congratulations to Ms Scott and the school student ambassadors for their dedication to the “wonderful cause”.

“It was fabulous to meet up with the students at the Telethon family fun day in Perth on the weekend to hear firsthand the role they have played as student ambassadors of the Telethon weekend,” she said.

“Yakamia Primary has raised almost $20,000 for Telethon over the past three years which is an amazing effort by their school community.”

The 2024 Telethon appeal raised $83.2 million, a record high in the fundraiser’s 56-year history.