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[Panel of Celebrities Encouraging Viewers to Donate to the 1981 Telethon]

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Description: This image was taken (but not used) for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on Monday 29th June 1981.

A celebrity panel for the Central Districts 1981 telethon, encouraging viewers to donate money for 'International Year of the Disabled Person'. From left: Phillip Leishman - sports broadcaster, Audrey Green - radio announcer at 2ZA, Julie Goodyear - British actress from Coronation Street, and Roger Gascoigne - television presenter of music and quiz shows.

Telethon 1981 was for the International Year of Disabled Persons. Telethon was a 24-hour live television spectacular designed to raise money for charitable causes. It originated in the United States, but New Zealand put a typically Kiwi spin on the event. Local performers, amateur and professional were joined by international stars, who entertained New Zealand to raise money for charity. Groups of people from schools, clubs, and pubs, contributed cash and cheques, often in an oversized format, to add to the pledged totals on the day of the event.