From a media release:

East vs West Rivalry Heats Up as Heartland and Republic of Doyle Join Actors’ Fund Charity Challenge

The 2010 Actors’ Fund Film and Television Charity Challenge is heating up, with two new entrants: Calgary powerhouse Heartland and St. John’s favourite Republic of Doyle. Along with Winnipeg’s Men With Brooms, these are the second and third shows airing on the CBC network to enter this year’s Challenge.

The Actors’ Fund of Canada is not just for actors – it’s the lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry. Over 10,000 professional members of the industry from all over Canada and in the fields of film & TV, theatre, music and dance have been helped by the Fund, which provides emergency financial aid to assist cultural workers in recovering from an illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship.

The Charity Challenge (www.actorsfund.ca/charitychallenge) is an annual event that mobilizes productions shooting in Canada to raise money on set for the Fund. Productions can participate in a variety of ways, ranging from collecting donations from cast and crew to holding raffles, signing up for payroll donations or creating community events.

Heartland, picked up for syndication in the US, is a veteran Challenge participant, having raised $11,700 for the Fund in 2008. Producer Tina Grewal was excited to enter her series again this year: “This industry is a constant series of ups and downs. We have an opportunity to help those who have experienced setbacks whether through illness, injury or personal misfortune. We want to beat our 2008 record and help the Fund provide for our friends and colleagues in need.”

Multiple Gemini nominee Republic of Doyle is a first time participant in the Challenge. Executive Producer and star Allan Hawco is eager to see what his cast and crew can accomplish: “We’re ready to take on all comers for the fundraising title this year. The Actors’ Fund is a great thing – there’s a lot of energy for this on our set and I can’t wait to see what we can do to contribute to the cause.”

Details on fundraising projects for both shows will be released as they are confirmed.

The Actors’ Fund of Canada is the lifeline for Canada’s entertainment industry. The Actors’ Fund is not just for actors: performers and those who work behind the scenes in film and television, theatre, music and dance can apply for emergency financial aid from the Fund, which recently set a new record for the amount of financial aid delivered to industry members in a single year, topping $600,000 in 2009. The Fund has helped over 10,000 entertainment industry workers recover from illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship since it was founded in 1958. The Actors’ Fund of Canada is a registered charity. It receives no government funding and is wholly sustained by support from individuals and entertainment industry organizations.