The mother of four said she had visited the hospital many times and was always touched by the children. "They are fighting so hard," she said. "And their families are fighting."More than $2.5 million was pledged during the event. Kidman was reunited with two-year-old Alyssa Miller, whom she visited at the Randwick hospital last year. The St Helens Park youngster was battling leukaemia when they met but is now in remission.
Alyssa's father Scott said he owed everything to the staff at the hospital: "Without the staff at the hospital she would not be here today. When she was first diagnosed they said she would be lucky to make her first birthday."
A swag of celebrities gave their time to man the phones for the telethon, including Olympian Geoff Huegill, TV personality Catriona Rowntree and comedienne Julia Morris. Model Samantha Harris said she was honoured to help out: "Just to think of some of the things the children have to go through - they and their families - is really heartbreaking."
Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation CEO Adam Check said he was overwhelmed by the amount pledged. "We were hopeful of getting our $2.2 million target but certainly respect it is a tight economy," he said. "The money will be used to purchase equipment, for research and to improve patient amenities within the hospital."