Telethon hits bash trail

TELETHON is to launch its own version of the Variety Club’s bash, appointing the man who has run the famous event to coordinate its new Channel Seven Telethon Celebrity Trek.

Barry Ashbolt will take the wheel at the trek which will be held in September and will be planned to minimise the impact on the Variety Club’s long running event.

Telethon marketing manager Nicola Bedwood said the Variety Club knew about the move and had given the television charity fund raiser the thumbs up.

“Perth can handle two events,” Ms Bedwood said.

“The money goes to the same concerns, we get money donated from Variety each year to assist in the insititutions research.”

“They gave us their blessing.”

Telethon plans to throw the weight of its celebrities into the trek which it believes can rival the auction of the Telethon home as a fund raising venture.

Last year the house auction raised $330,000 from a total of $2.4 million.