Music

Alan Doyle raises $100K for Kids Help Phone through live stream sing-alongs

'Giving feels good even in the most uncertain times. And, maybe especially in the most uncertain times.'

'Giving feels good even in the most uncertain times. And, maybe especially in the most uncertain times.'

Alan Doyle has seen up to 100,000 people tune in to his Suppertime Sing-alongs at one time on Facebook Live. (Vivian Rashotte/CBC)

On March 20, Alan Doyle kicked off his Facebook Live Suppertime Sing-alongs to "raise a few dollars" for Kids Help Phone. One week later, after teaming up with musicians like Donovan Woods, Barenaked Ladies' Ed Robertson and actor Oscar Issac, he'd raised $100,000.

"A big win for everyone I figure," Doyle said, via email. "Thanks to all for singing along and donating. Giving feels good even in the most uncertain times. And, maybe especially in the most uncertain times."

Doyle was supposed to be on an extensive tour with his band right now, but is isolated at home due to COVID-19. Since March 12, Kids Help Phone's call traffic has gone up nearly 400 per cent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Doyle said the helpline reached out to A Dollar A Day, a foundation Doyle co-founded, to ask for help.

Alan Doyle to perform online concert for Kids Help Phone

5 years ago
Duration 4:23
Amid concerns about COVID-19, there's been a spike in calls to the Kids Help Phone. Traffic is up nearly 400 per cent across Canada since March 12. Musician Alan Doyle is doing a special online concert on Friday to raise money and awareness for the phone counseling service through his Dollar A Day Foundation.

Just before Doyle's March 27 finale, he got a call from Sobeys, saying the company would match whatever he raised. By the time his last Suppertime Sing-along was done, he'd raised $50,000 — which was automatically doubled.