Folk-pop musician Liam Titcomb’s coast-to-coast busking tour for charity stops in Red Deer on Tuesday.
The Toronto singer and actor — who may be better known for his role as Jones in the CBC TV drama Wild Roses — is a strong supporter of the charity War Child Canada.
“If everybody knew what War Child does they would support it too,” said Titcomb, who noted that more than half of the victims of war are children, not soldiers.
War Child Canada helps builds schools for children in war ravaged countries and helps to rehabilitate some of the world’s 300,000 child soldiers.
It works in partnerships with local people to reduce poverty and strengthen children’s rights in Sudan, Afghanistan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Georgia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Because of his “passionate” belief in this cause, Titcomb began a cross-Canada busking tour this summer, from which every penny donated from the public goes straight to the charity.
“My grocery money comes from my record sales,” said the 21-year-old, who was first signed by Sony Music at the age of 15.
Among his Top 20 hits from two albums is the song Sad Eyes.
The tour started in St. John’s, Nfld. on July 18 and will end in Victoria, B.C. on Sept. 11. In between, Titcomb, on guitar, with Dan Stadnicki on drums, have busked in coffee shops, town squares, farmers’ markets, and on street corners.
In Red Deer, the duo plans to perform for the public on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. at the Michener Centre Recreation Complex, as well as at 9 p.m. at The Vat pub.
Titcombe invites everyone to come out to help support a good cause.
Donations can also be made to www.liamtitcomb.com/warchild.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com