Camera IconCredit: The Sunday Telegraph

Channel 7 stars and Raiders accept Annabelle’s Lemon Face Challenge

Jane HansenThe Sunday Telegraph

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It was a simple idea from a little girl who’s fighting a terrible disease — and now it’s going viral around the world.

Last week Annabelle Potts issued the Lemon Face Challenge in The Sunday Telegraph, inviting everyone to suck on a lemon, pull a funny face and post the video online to help raise funds and awareness for diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma or DIPG, the most deadly of all paediatric brain cancers.

The five-year-old Canberra girl is thrilled so many have come on board since The Wiggles accepted her challenge last week.

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Even though her face is partially paralysed as a result of the tumour, the response has put a smile on Annabelle’s face.

Channel 7 presenters Mel McLaughlin and Mark Ferguson this week accepted Annabelle’s Lemon Face Challenge.
Camera IconChannel 7 presenters Mel McLaughlin and Mark Ferguson this week accepted Annabelle’s Lemon Face Challenge. Credit: News Corp Australia

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“This has absolutely taken off, gone viral and I’m so grateful. I have seen articles written about Annabelle’s lemon face challenge in French,” proud mum Kathie Potts said.

“Since the massive lemon face challenge Annabelle’s spirits have been completely lifted. Thank you so much to everyone taking part in this, not only for the awareness, but also for cheering Annabelle up. We even got a sneaky smile.”

Sunrise host David Koch takes on the Lemon Face Challenge.
Camera IconSunrise host David Koch takes on the Lemon Face Challenge. Credit: News Corp Australia

Sports presenter Mel McLaughlin from Channel 7 lost her 36-year-old sister Tara in 2015 to a rare form of lung cancer.

“I’m just one of many who have a direct link and it stays with you, it opens your eyes to how people suffer. This beautiful young girl, we just couldn’t help but get involved,” she said.

“These kids just don’t deserve it and anything we can do to help these desperate parents, to stop them from having to go overseas for experimental treatment, we will.”

Newsreader Mark Ferguson also took up the challenge.

“I don’t think you could not accept her challenge. It astounds me that children like Annabelle, who have such adversity, are thinking of others. I also figure if I haven’t heard of DIPG, others haven’t as well so it is wonderful to raise awareness and hopefully money to fund a way to research this and extend these little ones’ lives,” Mr Ferguson said.

Sunrise star David “Kochie” Koch also got his citrus on.

The Wiggles were the first to accept Annabelle’s Lemon Face Challenge to raise awareness for DIPG.
Camera IconThe Wiggles were the first to accept Annabelle’s Lemon Face Challenge to raise awareness for DIPG. Credit: News Corp Australia, Sam Ruttyn
Young Annabelle watching a video of The Wiggles doing her Lemon Face Challenge.
Camera IconYoung Annabelle watching a video of The Wiggles doing her Lemon Face Challenge. Credit: News Corp Australia

Footy legends from the Canberra Raiders took up the challenge for their hometown girl.

Josh Papalii was more than keen to help a little girl smile.

“When we heard about the challenge it sounded like a bit of fun and something that we can hopefully help Annabelle get some awareness going,” he said.

Canberra Raiders NRL stars Josh Papalii and Dunamis Lui this week accepted Annabelle’s Lemon Face Challenge.
Camera IconCanberra Raiders NRL stars Josh Papalii and Dunamis Lui this week accepted Annabelle’s Lemon Face Challenge. Credit: News Corp Australia
Chris Lawrence from the West Tigers took up Annabelle’s challenge.
Camera IconChris Lawrence from the West Tigers took up Annabelle’s challenge. Credit: News Corp Australia
As did his teammate Russell Packer.
Camera IconAs did his teammate Russell Packer. Credit: News Corp Australia

“The best result would be that eventually a cure could be found and help save lives.”

“Anytime we can do something so simple to help out we will. If a couple of NRL players eating a lemon can help raise awareness for such an important cause we are more than happy to help,” fellow Raider Dunamis Lui said.

Broncos young guns David Fifita, Patrick Carrigan and Gehamat Shibasaki also took part.

“Let’s raise awareness for DIPG and find a cure,” Carrigan said.

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