Telethon (1976)

Telethon, ran nationwide on TV2 South Pacific Television in 1975, 1976, 1977,1978 (set a Guinness Book of Records, $3 million in donations from a per capita of 3 million people), and 1979. From 1981, 1983 (8pm Saturday 25 June-8pm Sunday 26 June ), 1985 (8pm Saturday 29 June-8pm Sunday 30 June), 1988, 1990 and 1991 by TVNZ, and in 1993 on TV3. Its distinctive theme song "Thank You Very Much For Your Kind Donation", signaled the beginning of the 24 hour fund-raiser, broadcasting live fun, silliness, pranks with local and international superstars and viewers making complete fools of themselves in regional centers around New Zealand. Telethon 1976 raised $1.6 million for The Child Health Foundation.