Australians donated over $25m to the Australia Unites: Red Cross Flood Appeal last night.

The event included government, corporate and private donations from around the country.

Seven, Nine and 10 combined resources to produce a joint broadcast hosted firstly by Amanda Keller, Kylie Gillies and Ben Fordham, and later David Koch, Sylvia Jeffreys and Chris Brown. All three networks donated $250,000 each to kick the night off.

TV talent manned the phone rooms at Red Cross bases in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and performers either live in studio, or from concert vision, included Tones And I, Delta Goodrem, Jon Stevens, Missy Higgins, Vanessa Amorosi, Kasey Chambers, Gang of Youths, Ruel, Genesis Owusu, Budjerah, Hunters & Collectors, John Williamson, Guy Sebastian, Kate Miller-Heidke, The Living End, Fijian Heroes, Sheppard, Baker Boy, and The Wiggles.

Amongst some of the random telethon moments…

• Kylie Gillies introduced one guest by saying, “Good morning to you.. sorry it’s not morning, is it? I knew that would get me.”
• After a cross from 10’s Sarah Harris, Ben Fordham noted that “We train them well at Nine.”
• There was a $5,000 donation for Matty J to wear wife Laura’s dress (he did) and $10,000 to swap underwear (unconfirmed)
• Al from MAFS repeated his infamous drink from a ‘shooey.’
• Pub owners Delvene Delaney and David Gyngell donated $100,000 on their last night of owning the Hotel Brunswick. David Gyngell confirmed to Larry Emdur the appeal was his idea, pulled together with a call to Michael Healy at Nine, supported by Seven’s James Warburton and 10’s Beverley McGarvey.
• Channelling Rove McManus and Bert Newton from the 2005 Australia Unites benefit, Grant Denyer and Ben Fordham pashed live on air for a donation.
• ITV Studios Australia donated $50,000.

The event, which extended to 12:30am AEDT,  was produced by Logies and Carols by Candlelight veteran Brent Williams and team.

You can donate to at redcross.org.au/floodsappeal or by calling 1800 733 276.