Telethon teenager Sophie Read to sell famous pendant diamond to raise money for treatment

BUNBURY teenager Sophie Read, who suffers from a rare bone condition, is selling her famous Telethon pendant diamond at Australia’s biggest-ever diamond auction this weekend to raise money for her medical treatment.

Sophie (13) designed the pendant as part of Telethon in 2012, when she was just seven. It was bought for $40,000 by then WA Governor Malcolm McCusker, who gifted it back to Sophie.

Sophie is selling it to raise funds for medical costs, which include an operation on her ankles.

First State Auction director Ari Taibel said all fees would be waived so Sophie could receive the maximum benefits from the sale.

“The pendant’s central stone is a two carat diamond of exceptionally high quality, which we hope will be of great appeal to buyers and help this brave young woman and her family raise funds for her treatment,” she said.

Sophie will keep the pendant, with the diamond replaced by a zirconia.