Ryan Reynolds helps raise over $300,000 for SickKids
Toronto's SickKids received over $300,000 in donations this holiday season thanks to Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds and his ugly Christmas sweater.
Reynolds resurfaced the holiday sweater — which went viral last year after fellow actors Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal tricked him into wearing it — along with a pledge to match every donation made to the children's hospital before midnight on December 24 (up to $100,000).
He even created an animated video that tells the story of the sweater mishap in order to spread the word.
Every holiday story deserves a magical ending.✨ Help Ryan help SickKids—all donations made by the time Santa arrives will be matched by @VancityReynolds himself. https://t.co/uak6563K24 #SweaterLove #HelpRyanHelpSickKids #SickKidsVS pic.twitter.com/iRFykGmJbY
— SickKids Foundation (@sickkids) December 20, 2019
The video ends with footage of different children wearing the red and green sweater, stating "every holiday story deserves a magical ending... Help Ryan help."
Fellow stars Hugh Jackman and Austin Matthews also participated in the campaign, posting photos of themselves wearing the Christmas sweater on each of their social media profiles.
I can’t believe I agreed to wear the matching underwear too. pic.twitter.com/mpaEfiGzuy
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) December 20, 2019
"Hope it's ok I borrowed your sweater @vancityreynolds," Matthews wrote on instagram. "Help Ryan Help @SickKidsVS. Link in bio to donate before December 24."
SickKids announced the $300,000 result on Twitter on New Year's Eve, and Reynolds chimed in saying "what a way to begin 2020."
What a way to begin 2020. Congrats to @sickkids foundation and thank you everyone who donated!!! 🙌 #SuperheroSweater https://t.co/W8d4fGNqfr
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) January 1, 2020
Reynolds, who is originally from Vancouver, has raised money and spread awareness for the foundation on several previous occasions.
