Ryan Reynolds’ ‘ugly Christmas sweater’ fundraising campaign for SickKids: how to donate
A fundraising effort whose origins lie in a prank by fellow actors, the campaign seeks donations for the Hospital for Sick Children, in Reynolds’ native Canada.
For the fifth holiday season in a row, actor Ryan Reynolds is raising money for a good cause by sporting an ugly Christmas sweater.
Since being pranked into wearing the sweater in 2018, Reynolds has made the garish garment the centrepiece of a drive to bring in donations for SickKids, a children’s healthcare organisation based in his native Canada.
Kids “magical gift” but also “pricks” - Reynolds
In a campaign video posted on his YouTube channel earlier this month, Reynolds adopted his trademark lighthearted tone as he urged people to donate to SickKids this Christmas.
“Every parent knows that kids, while a magical gift from heaven, can kind of be pricks,” the 47-year Deadpool star said. “But it’s hard for kids to be pricks when they’re sick. And that’s why the work we do here at SickKids is so very important.”
Watch Reynolds’ ‘ugly sweater’ fundraising video:
How can you donate to Reynolds’ SickKids effort?
You can donate to SickKids, a University of Toronto-affiliated organisation officially known as the Hospital for Sick Children, on its website.
“We accept financial donations, as well as donations of brand-new items like toys, books, electronics and gift cards,” SickKids says.
Reynolds’ YouTube channel adds that Samsung Canada will match all donations up to $100,000 made by 24 December 2023.
What is the origin of Reynolds’ ‘ugly sweater’ campaign?
Reynolds’ SickKids campaign came about after he was fooled by fellow Hollywood A-listers Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal into turning up to a festive get-together wearing a Christmas sweater.
“These assholes told me it was a sweater party,” Reynolds wrote on social media in December 2018, posting a photo of himself in an unsightly red and green jumper with a large gold bow protruding from its front.
Since then, he has pulled on the jersey each year to raise funds for SickKids, teaming up with celebrities such as Auston Matthews, an ice hockey player for NHL franchise the Toronto Maple Leafs, and singer Michael Bublé.
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