The Telethon Adventurers

GROUP TAKES AIM AT RECORD

BRIDGET LACY, The West Australian, October 18, 2011

After this year's record-breaking Telethon, one of its biggest contributors has vowed to build on that effort and has already raised $100,000 for next year's tally.

The Telethon Adventurers were behind only Seven West Media chairman Kerry Stokes as the biggest contributor to the almost $13.5 million total, raising more than $1 million.

The Adventurers have organised extreme fundraising events since being set up by Rick Parish after he lost his son Elliot, 4, to cancer this year.

Mr Parish was overwhelmed by the result in the Adventurers' first year when they had just over six months to raise funds. "It's just amazing as a dad who lost a child to cancer," he said.

Among the adventures were a bicycle ride from Esperance to Perth, a Harley-Davidson ride in the US and climbs up Mt Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc.

Mr Parish said he was inundated with people wanting to be involved and they aimed to hit $2 million next year.

Mr Stokes said he was a very proud chairman, with the record total a great outcome for everyone.

Mr Stokes returned to work yesterday after tripping and bruising his ribs at Telethon.