A sold-out benefit concert in Sydney has raised more than $250,000 for those displaced by the wildfires in Fort McMurray.
Some of Cape Breton Island’s best-known talent hit the stage at Centre 200 Sunday evening for the Givin' Back to the Mac benefit concert.
“It's heartbreaking, you don't want to see anybody suffer like that,” said singer-songwriter Bruce Guthro. “You don't want to see anybody afraid, worried, and animals left behind. Grabbing your kids and running with the clothes on your back – nobody wants to see that stuff.”
It took only a few hours for musical director Fred Lavery to find performers willing to take part.
“The hardest part about putting this show together is who can't you include, not who can,” said Lavery.
There has also been support from the business community. Business owner Gord MacDonald donated a 2016 ATV for which he sold tickets.
“Myself, my wife and our staff got together and said, ‘We've had some great years with Fort McMurray, and their people coming to purchase stuff at our store, and I think it's time for us to give back,’” said MacDonald.
Five thousand tickets were sold to the event, which streamed online.
“It's one for the books,” said Lavery. “It's a testament to the power of music and community. When both come together, you can do wonderful things. That's what's going to happen here tonight. It's going to be a wonderful event.”
Comedy duo Maynard Morrison and Bette MacDonald hosted the show, which included performances from Matt Minglewood, the Men of the Deeps, the Barra McNeil’s, Aaron Lewis, and Jordan Musycsyn.
Those affected by the fires were top-of-mind for many artists performing at the event, including Guthro.
“I'll tell a story or two about Fort Mac and sing a song or two about it,” he said beforehand.
The concert was the second largest crowd ever at a Centre 200 event.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore
