Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively are extending their generosity to support the SickKids Foundation during a challenging phase of their lives. Reynolds, co-owner of Wrexham AFC, has announced on social media that alongside his wife, they'd be matching all contributions made to the SickKids Foundation up to $500,000 this festive season.
The Foundation is crucial in supporting The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, striving to enhance the wellbeing of children across Canada. On Instagram, Reynolds said: "It's almost Christmas Eve. Last day to donate to @sickkidsvs. @blakelively and I are matching any donation to $500k. This organization is a sanctuary for so many kids and their parents traversing the unimaginable."
Later in the post, which features a clip of the 48-year-old wearing his signature Deadpool suit, Reynolds alludes to having faced a tough period. He said the campaign was filmed "at a time when I really didn't feel like putting the suit on," reports WalesOnline.
It comes as Lively has launched a lawsuit against her former 'It Ends with Us' co-star and director, Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment. The 37-year-old actress collaborated with Baldoni, 40, on the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel. The movie received mixed reviews and was dogged by reports of off-screen drama.
After months of speculation about a rift between the main stars, Lively has now alleged in legal documents reported by US media outlet TMZ that he engaged in a concerted effort to tarnish her reputation.
The recently filed complaint also alleges that Baldoni and the film's lead producer, Jamey Heath, engaged in "ongoing sexual harassment and other unsettling behavior" toward her.
In response, Baldoni's team have labelled Lively's actions as "shameful" and accused her of making a "false attempt" to restore her own image, reports The Mirror. Baldoni's lawyer, Bryan Freedman, vehemently denied the lawsuit, branding Lively's allegations as "false, outrageous and intentionally salacious with an intent to publicly hurt."
The legal battle follows months of rumours about a feud between Lively and her co-star during the filming of Hoover's widely acclaimed novel. Months after the film's release, Lively has alleged that Baldoni's behaviour on the set caused her 'severe emotional distress'.
The lawsuit details a meeting convened to discuss Lively's allegations and her conditions for continuing work on the movie. The meeting was attended by several people involved with the production, including her husband Reynolds.
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