ryan reynolds sickkids

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. 

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. 

"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."

Reynolds, who is originally from Vancouver, has raised money and spread awareness for the foundation on several previous occasions

Lead photo by

Hugh Jackman


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Doug Ford just got even tougher on Ontario bike lanes with new measures

Toronto's $27 billion Ontario Line just crossed its biggest construction milestone so far

Rare Canadian gold coin sells for over $1.5 million

Toronto ranked among the top 100 best cities in the world for 2025

A full list of all the items included in Canada's holiday GST cut

Liquid soap sold at stores across Canada recalled due to contamination

Canadians to get GST cut on groceries and new $250 rebate ahead of holidays

Snow is finally coming to southern Ontario and here's when it will hit