Albany’s Telethon little star Cody Colmer gives back in new role

Albany’s 2016 Little Telethon Star Cody Colmer is still giving back to Telethon as a student ambassador at Yakamia Primary School.

Cody, now 11, was one of the stars of Seven West Media’s fundraiser five years ago, winning the hearts of West Australians for his resilience and happiness in the face of huge medical challenges.

Born four weeks early in a traumatic birth, doctors soon realised he was missing half a vertebrae, a condition known as hemivertebrae.

After corrective surgery in 2017, he was required to wear a specially made torso brace which was replaced every few months.

Friends who knew about the brace called him Iron Man.

Cody has since become one of the best young go-kart racers in regional WA.

He has been announced as an ambassador in the new Telethon Student Ambassadors program, which empowers students to get their school involved with the famous fundraiser.

Cody will be responsible for organising fundraising events at his school, educating his peers and keeping up communication with head office.

His mother Sandra said he loved being active and doing new things — and this was the latest example.

“He’ll be taking on his new role as Telethon Ambassador with three other school mates, one being Luella who he has been very close friends with since they were babies,” she said.

“They are so excited about their new role together.”

Telethon general manager Mark McCrory said the new student ambassadors program aimed to get children involved with Telethon.

Last year’s Telethon raised a record $46.3 million to support sick children in this State.

“Getting kids involved in raising money for Telethon is a great way to develop real world understanding about community action, promotion, the importance of charities and scientific research,” he said.

“The student ambassador program will create a meaningful way for schools to engage with a trusted WA institution that financially supports over 50 children’s charities, all united with the common goal of improving the health and wellbeing of WA kids.

“We have no doubt that there’s a child in every school in WA who’s been touched by and benefited from Telethon support.”

Schools can register at Telethon7.com/schools.