A new fundraising event will transform Busselton Jetty this October, with the community invited to step out in support of sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across WA.

The inaugural Steps of Hope Busselton Jetty Telethon Giving Day will be held on October 10, bringing together families, businesses and supporters to raise money for Telethon while celebrating the resilience and generosity that has become synonymous with the charity.

The event was announced at Shelter Brewing Co on Monday, with Little Telethon Stars, including the very first Telethon child Maryanne Lazarides, and an appearance from Fat Cat to mark the occasion.

For Ms Lazarides, who became the first Little Telethon Star in 1968 aged only 11 months, the event carries special meaning.

“I’ve not walked the jetty before, so I’m so excited to be doing this, especially being healthy and well,” she said.

“I just can’t wait to share this experience with these beautiful kids and share the joy and generosity of WA and the amazing place we have here at the Busselton Jetty.”

Born in Merredin with a life-threatening heart condition, Ms Lazarides credits the care she received in WA to saving her life.

“I was very lucky. I was born in the Wheatbelt and my mum and dad were just very lucky to be in Australia and to have some wonderful cardiologists at the hospital that obviously saved me,” she said.

“I think Telethon just raises everybody’s spirits and it just shows how WA is such an amazing State, and the people in Western Australia are so generous.”

Fellow Little Telethon Stars Paige McIllree, 9, Emily Houston, 10, and Izzy Miller, 6, also attended the launch and encouraged the South West community to get behind the fundraiser.

Emily had one simple message for would-be donors.

“If possible, $100 would be nice,” she said.

“I think billions is a bit of a stretch ... but millions, for sure.”

Busselton Jetty chair Natasha Teakle said every jetty walk pass bought on the day would contribute directly to Telethon.

“It aligns so well with other work we’re doing in this space, like our marine sponge project to help identify anti-cancer compounds,” she said.

“We’re really passionate about helping future generations at the jetty and giving back to our community.”

Among those taking part will be passionate Telethon ambassador Scott Guerini, whose remarkable fundraising journey began when he was just four.

Determined to help sick children, Mr Guerini convinced his parents to let him walk 25km from the family farm to Southern Cross in 2010, launching what would become Scott’s Great Walk for Telethon.

Since then, he has completed an annual fundraising walk, later extending the challenge to a marathon in 2014 before adding a 50km treadmill challenge in 2017.

This year, Mr Guerini said he’s swapping the Wheatbelt’s red dirt for the turquoise waters of Geographe Bay.

“It’s always been about helping the sick kids and babies, and quite a few times through my journey I’ve had little moments where that’s reinforced, like at the Telethon Kids Institute where I saw a machine that was worth $100,000, which is what I’d raised at the time,” he said.

“It really reinforced for me that I’m doing things to help people.

“Through all the tough times and moments in my walk, I just think of sick kids and babies that I’m helping through Telethon and that keeps me going.”