Premier Roger Cook dons bright button up for Loud Shirt Day on ...

Loud and colourful shirts are set to sweep the nation on Friday in a bid to raise awareness for children living with hearing loss.

A Telethon Speech and Hearing initiative, Loud Shirt Day encourages community members to don their boldest shirt on October 20 to raise crucial funds for diagnostic and ongoing support services for children with hearing loss and speech and language delays.

The non-profit runs Australia’s only outpost program and supports kids like TSH ambassadors Eleanor Whitby, 9, and Zavier McDonald, 14 — who both live with hearing loss — with a dedicated Teacher of the Deaf and an education assistant at their school to help them in the classroom.

Through the program, Eleanor and Zavier also have access to a speech pathologist and occupational therapist.

“Our Outpost program is the only one of its kind in Australia and is expanding due to the demand from families,” TSH chief executive Mark Fitzpatrick said.

Camera IconPremier Roger Cook with TSH Loud Shirt Day ambassadors Zavier McDonald, 14, and Eleanor Whitby, 9. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper/The West Australian

“We now provide supports such as Teachers of the Deaf to 18 mainstream schools in Perth. We also have a long-standing community health program in regional WA, yet we are barely scratching the surface when it comes to meeting demand.”

The WA Government on Thursday threw its support behind Loud Shirt Day for another year, hosting a morning tea fundraiser as they swapped out their suits for their brightest shirts.

Premier Roger Cook presented a $1000 donation on behalf of the government to the young TSH ambassadors, Eleanor and Zavier.

“Loud Shirt Day is not just about fashion and flair,” Mr Cook said. “It’s about raising the profile of the one-in-500 school-aged children diagnosed with hearing loss and ensuring they have the best possible resources to afford them an education — and quality of life — that is equal to their peers.

“Telethon Speech and Hearing is an organisation that’s done so much for Western Australian children with hearing loss and speech and language delays. By getting behind Loud Shirt Day, we can help to ensure its great legacy continues into the future.”

More than $72,000 has been raised for TSH already, with $100,000 set as the goal. Register your support for Loud Shirt Day here.