A cancer diagnosis at 12, a five-and-a-half-year battle, four lung surgeries and relearning how to walk and eat again.

The room fell silent as 18-year-old Tia Scott shared the courageous story that prompted WA’s top business leaders and philanthropists seated in the room to raise more than $1 million to fund dedicated resources for Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital’s Adolescent and Youth Cancer Service for the next three years.

While the setting for the exclusive Leeuwin lunch changed — moved from Leeuwin Estate Restaurant and Cellar Door in Margaret River to the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club — the generosity of more than 170 guests remained the same as they raised a record-breaking $8.1 million for Telethon.

Hosted by Seven presenters Charlotte Goodlet and Ryan Daniels, with a special performance by Samantha Jade, the funds raised during the event will go towards supporting 147 beneficiaries across 297 grants.

The live auction led by Mark Readings proved a highlight, with a Sal Salis luxury escape, 2027 Gather Round experience and Monaco Grand Prix Mediterranean luxury escape quickly snapped up by charitable bidders.