Radiothon led by Triple M & Hit Network in Townsville hits $200,000 target for North Qld cancer care

Cliffo & Kate at Townsville Hospital. Image supplied

In one of regional Australia’s biggest fundraising moments this year, Triple M and Hit103.1 Townsville have helped raise more than $200,000 in just a few weeks for Brighter Lives and the Townsville Hospital Foundation, surpassing the ambitious goal of securing a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) machine to transform cancer and infection diagnostics in North Queensland.

The campaign culminated in ‘Brighter Day,’ last Thursday, with both stations dedicating their entire broadcast schedule to community-driven content, including emotional patient stories, live interviews, and fundraising pushes.

The idea first took shape in May, when Brighter Lives partnered with SCA to develop a broadcast-led fundraising campaign, powered by Triple M and Hit Townsville and backed by SCA’s local and social footprint.

An ambitious fundraising goal of $200,000 was set.

In the weeks leading up to Brighter Day, Triple M Breakfast hosts Cliffo & Kate (Guy Clifton and Kate Jeboult), Triple M Workday host CK (Cliff Kern), and Hit Mornings announcer Carley Whittington (pictured above) spoke to and visited patients, parents, doctors, nurses, staff, volunteers at the Townsville Hospital, as well as Brighter Lives CEO Stephanie Naunton, raising awareness of Brighter Lives, the impact and the reach of the charity, and the specific goals of the 2025 fundraising campaign.

Brighter Lives is the official charity partner of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

For over 35 years, it has helped fund equipment, research, and patient support projects across regional Queensland – from surgical lasers and birthing suites to cancer recovery spaces and now, cutting-edge diagnostic tools. 100% of funds raised stay in North Queensland.

Triple M’s QLD Rush Hour with Dobbo & Elliott and Lu & Jarch also jumped on board with the fundraising effort, as did The Hit Network’s Carrie & Tommy and Brone & Lakey.

In the lead-up, Elite Property Townsville pledged $5,000 on-air – but the biggest surprise came when the Rotary Club of Townsville joined the broadcast live to announce a $150,000 donation.

Local businesses Pizza Hut and Galactic Donuts also contributed to the fundraising efforts with a huge community push to get to the $200,000 goal.

The money raised will fund the purchase of a Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) machine for Townsville University Hospital, dramatically reducing cancer and bacterial infection test turnaround times from 6–8 weeks to 24 hours.

Stephanie Naunton, CEO Brighter Lives, said “Your amazing support and contribution will help make real impact for the thousands of regional Queenslanders who rely on testing and diagnosis- meaning early diagnosis and early treatment. Because of you- we can deliver the NGS equipment to Townsville reducing result wait times for cancer and critical care patients from 6-8 weeks to as little as 24 hours.”

Adam Roche, SCA North Queensland Group Content Director, said “It’s days like this that remind you why we do what we do. Our entire team – on-air, behind the scenes, in sales, and in the streets – came together for something bigger than radio. We’re so proud of what we’ve helped achieve.”

The fundraising effort continues on-air with more donations coming through.

*Images supplied by SCA