Last month, Canadian rock greats Rush had to move their concert from the flood-stricken Calgary to Red Deer, but they charitably announced that they would be donating all of the proceeds from the show to Alberta flood relief. Now, the numbers are in, and it turns out that Rush raised more than half a million dollars.
For the event, Rush donated their fees, as did promoter Live Nation Canada, while the Enmax Centrium venue offered up the rent from the show. There was also an auction and exclusive merch items to raise more funds.
In the end, they earned $575,000. Of this, $125,000 will go to High River residents who were most affected by the floods, $400,000 will go to the Canadian Red Cross, and the remaining $50,000 will be distributed to local charities.
Rush singer-bassist Geddy Lee said in a statement, "It is important to be a good neighbour in situations like these, and we are very grateful that we were able to amass such a huge sum that will undoubtedly help many of our fellow Canadians in need. Thanks to our partners who joined us in the effort, to all the great fans from all over Alberta who attended the show, the workers who donated their time along with us, and those fans abroad that supported via the special Flood T-shirt."
Rush are still raising additional funds with an exclusive T-shirt design for flood relief. It's currently out of stock, but more shirts will be made available tomorrow (August 2), so it's available to pre-order here.
For the event, Rush donated their fees, as did promoter Live Nation Canada, while the Enmax Centrium venue offered up the rent from the show. There was also an auction and exclusive merch items to raise more funds.
In the end, they earned $575,000. Of this, $125,000 will go to High River residents who were most affected by the floods, $400,000 will go to the Canadian Red Cross, and the remaining $50,000 will be distributed to local charities.
Rush singer-bassist Geddy Lee said in a statement, "It is important to be a good neighbour in situations like these, and we are very grateful that we were able to amass such a huge sum that will undoubtedly help many of our fellow Canadians in need. Thanks to our partners who joined us in the effort, to all the great fans from all over Alberta who attended the show, the workers who donated their time along with us, and those fans abroad that supported via the special Flood T-shirt."
Rush are still raising additional funds with an exclusive T-shirt design for flood relief. It's currently out of stock, but more shirts will be made available tomorrow (August 2), so it's available to pre-order here.
