Connor Barrett’s letter to Build-A-Bear Australia led to two bear-building fundraising workshops for Telethon in October 2025. The events, held at Westfield Carousel and Westfield Booragoon, have passed; the report does not confirm whether the partnership continued.
How Connor Barrett’s letter sparked the partnership
In a report published September 12, 2025, PerthNow reported that Connor Barrett, a 2023 Little Telethon Star, had written to Build-A-Bear Australia with an idea: the retailer could help Telethon and children in hospital.
Connor said a visit to Build-A-Bear in Adelaide inspired him. He noticed accessories including wheelchairs and thought the company might support Telethon. “That gave me the idea that maybe Build-A-Bear could help sponsor Telethon and raise money,” he said.
Connor was identified in the report as 10 years old and as having cystic fibrosis. His mother, Taryn Barrett, said bears offered comfort during hospital stays and medical appointments. These are details attributed to the family in PerthNow’s report.
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What the 2025 workshops involved
Build-A-Bear Australia organized two bear-building fundraising workshops for October 11, 2025:
- Westfield Carousel
- Westfield Booragoon
PerthNow reported the cost as $20 per person and said every dollar raised at the workshops would go to Telethon. Those terms describe the announced 2025 events, not a current registration opportunity.
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What Build-A-Bear said about Telethon
Tania Port, identified by PerthNow as Build-A-Bear’s marketing manager, said the company received regular requests for donations and that Connor’s letter stood out. She estimated the company received “probably, five to 10 requests a week” for support of different causes; that was her estimate in the 2025 report, not an independently verified figure.
Port said Build-A-Bear had known little about Telethon before Connor wrote and was excited to participate for the first time. She also expressed hope that the involvement would be the start of a larger partnership in Western Australia. That hope is not confirmation of any later event or ongoing arrangement.
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Does buying a Build-A-Bear support Telethon now?
The report concerns funds raised at the two workshops. It does not say that ordinary Build-A-Bear purchases supported Telethon, and it does not establish a current donation program, future workshop, or continuing partnership. Anyone seeking a current way to participate should confirm details directly with Build-A-Bear Australia or Telethon rather than rely on the past event announcement.
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