This year’s Telethon began last night in spectacular style, with multimillion-dollar donations getting the efforts to break last year’s record to a sterling start.

The CBD came alive as thousands queued to get into RAC Arena for the opening show of the flagship 26-hour entertainment marathon, broadcast live on Channel 7 in WA and nationally on 7flix and 7plus.

Meanwhile, Perth’s A-listers glittered at Crown for the black-tie Telethon Gala Ball, where Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles — who revealed the Federal Government would donate $6 million to Telethon this year — stepped in for Anthony Albanese who is overseas.

Rio Tinto also donated $5.5 million, while other big donors last night included gold miner Northern Star and grocery giant Woolworths.

Accompanied for his first Telethon

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