Queenslanders dig deep as 2026 Nine Telethon smashes $10 million target
Queenslanders have once again opened their wallets in force, with the 2026 Nine Telethon raising a staggering $12,394,630 for Mater Little Miracles, comfortably exceeding its $10 million goal.
The fundraising effort, broadcast live from Mater Mothers’ Hospital, saw thousands of donors back the work of Mater’s clinical teams, who provide critical care to premature and seriously ill babies. The final tally marks another strong result for the annual appeal, with funds set to support neonatal intensive care and maternal-fetal medicine services.
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A sizeable share of the total came from key partners including the Queensland Government, Plantation Homes, The Lott by Golden Casket, the University of Queensland, and the Federal Government, whose contributions helped push the total beyond target.
Sporting codes added a personal touch on the night, with the Brisbane Broncos, NRL Dolphins and Brisbane Lions auctioning boots worn by players including Pat Carrigan, Ben Hunt, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kafusi, Charlie Cameron and Jade Ellenger. Each pair represented the size of babies treated in the Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU).
Coverage was led by 9News Queensland’s Melissa Downes and Joel Dry, while Today’s Tim Davies and Today Extra’s Sylvia Jeffreys handled calls from Channel 9 Brisbane’s Mt Coot-tha studios.
The phone room featured a mix of television, sport and radio personalities, including Sophie Monk, Wally Lewis, Sam Thaiday, Tammy Hambrow, Corey Oates, Billy Walters, and Married at First Sight participants Stella and Filip, who fielded calls from donors throughout the night.
Ahead of the event, Sophie Monk visited the hospital to meet families and newborns receiving specialist care.
Among the major contributions was a $1 million donation from the Van Lieshout family, as Queenslanders continued to give generously across the broadcast.
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Nine Queensland Managing Director Kylie Blucher said the result reflected the strength of community support.
“The 2026 Nine Telethon has exceeded expectations.
Surpassing our $10 million goal is truly incredible, and this record-breaking result is a powerful testament to the generosity and heart of Queenslanders.
These vital, life-saving funds will directly support Mater Little Miracles in their critical work, ensuring the most vulnerable babies and their families receive the specialist care they desperately need to give them the best possible start to life.
My deepest gratitude goes to the phenomenal team at Nine Queensland, from our on-air talent to our production crews whose tireless commitment made this wonderful night possible.”
Mater Foundation CEO Andrew Thomas also acknowledged the community’s support.
“On behalf of the Mater Foundation, I want to thank the Queensland community for rallying behind our tiniest and most vulnerable patients with such compassion and generosity.
We are deeply grateful to our presenting and community partners, and to Nine, for championing this cause and uniting Queenslanders in support of our clinicians and families.
These vital funds will help ensure our specialist teams can continue delivering world-leading care that not only gives tiny babies the best chance to survive and thrive, but also supports families through every step of what is often the most challenging time of their lives.”
Donations for the appeal remain open via the official website.
2026 Nine Telethon aired live on Nine from Mater Mothers’ Hospital in Brisbane.
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