Virgin Mobile and Arkells are pullin' punches to fight youth homelessness with Toronto benefit concert

• Toronto gig will raise funds for at-risk and homeless youth programs in Toronto
  
  
• Tickets on-sale starting Friday, November 23 at virginmobile.ca/gigs

TORONTO, Nov. 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Virgin Mobile announced today that Canadian rockers Arkells will team up with the RE*Generation movement for a benefit concert on Saturday, December 15 at Toronto's Virgin Mobile Mod Club. Proceeds from the benefit show will be donated to Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group, and their RE*Generation partner, Eva's Initiatives, to help provide the necessary services and programs to create opportunities for at-risk and homeless youth in Toronto.

"With over 65,000 homeless youth in Canada, we're driven to create long-term solutions and raise the money needed to help fight youth homelessness across the country," says Andrew Bridge, managing director,      Virgin Mobile Canada. "By teaming up with amazing artists like Arkells, fans get to check out a great live show while also helping to do some good. Come out and get involved with RE*Generation by checking out the benefit concert or by making a text donation to help fight youth homelessness in Canada."

Proceeds from the benefit concert will support Virgin Unite's RE*Generation partner Eva's Initiatives. Located in the Greater Toronto Area, Eva's Initiatives works directly with at-risk and homeless youth between the ages of 16 to 24 to develop their potential for brighter futures through education programs, housing and proactive counseling. The organization currently supports three youth shelters in Toronto: Eva's Place, Eva's Satellite and Eva's Phoenix.

"By teaming up with Virgin Unite and joining the RE*Generation Movement, we can lend our voice and music to support a great cause," says Arkells' lead singer Max Kerman. "It's time to make a change for at-risk youth and with this show we can help highlight great organizations like Eva's Initiatives while encouraging our fans to make a difference with Virgin Unite's RE*Generation!"

Tickets for the Arkells' show on December 15, 2012 are $25 each (plus taxes and applicable service charges) and will be available for purchase online at www.virginmobile.ca/gigs starting Friday, November 23, 2012. Virgin Mobile Members, however, can get access to tickets first by heading to www.virginmobile.ca/lounge starting today until tickets are open to the public on November 23^rd. Concertgoers must be 19+ and doors will open at 7 p.m. EST.

Whether or not they can make it to the show, Canadians can support Virgin Unite by texting REGEN to 30333 from their mobile phone to donate $5 for at-risk and homeless youth programs in Canada.  For more information on how to get involved, check out www.virginmobile.ca/regen.

About Arkells

Sharing a love of the kind of raw, soulful "Springsteenesque" rock that inspires a teen to pick up a guitar and start a band, Arkells are an award-winning five member Canadian rock band founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 2006. Named after a memorable street in Hamilton, the band consists of lead vocals Max Kerman, guitarist Mike DeAngelis, keyboardist Anthony Carone, bassist Nick Dika, and drummer Tim Oxford.

With such popular hits as "Oh, the Boss is Coming!", "Whistleblower" and "Michigan Left", Arkells have released two full albums under their belt - Jackson Square in 2008 and last year's Michigan Left. For the last few years, the band has shared the stage at live shows and sold-out festivals with such bands like Metric, Pearl Jam and Tokyo Police Club. In 2012, the band walked away with the coveted JUNO Award for Group of the Year. Currently, Arkells are touring North America for their latest album while exploring new places, new food and of course, new places to eat food. For the latest news and upcoming shows from the band, check out www.arkells.ca.

Virgin Mobile's RE*Generation Movement

In early 2008, Virgin Mobile Canada and Virgin Unite, the non-profit foundation of the Virgin group of companies, joined together to create the RE*Generation movement and empower a generation to help its own.  The RE*Generation brings together organizations that care about Canada's homeless and at-risk youth and connects them with people who want to help. RE*Generation is a movement to support solutions to youth homelessness and support at-risk youth programs in Canada.  To date, more than $2.2 million has been raised and dispersed to leading youth serving agencies across the country through programs such as Change for a Dollar, limited edition Samsung RE*Generation phones and ongoing RE*Generation benefit concerts. The RE*Generation movement is working with a number of Canadian charitable partners to help get kids off the streets and onto a path for a brighter future. For more information visit http://www.virginunite.com or go to www.virginmobile.ca/regen to sign up and join the movement.

About Virgin Mobile Canada

Virgin Mobile Canada rewards, entertains and connects like no one else, delivering the super-hot phones on the blazing fast 4G network.  Virgin Mobile Members also get benefits like exclusive VIP access and deals and award-winning service. 91% of Members would also recommend Virgin Mobile to a friend.

The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 18 million customers worldwide. Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations nationally including The Source, Virgin Mobile retail locations and additional retail partners. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online or by calling 1-888-999-2321. Get personal with Virgin Mobile Canada on Facebook and Twitter.

About Virgin Unite

Virgin Unite is the non-profit foundation of the Virgin Group. We unite people and entrepreneurial ideas to reinvent how we live and work in the world to help make people's lives better. Our aim is to do our bit to revolutionize the way businesses, government and the social sector work together - driving business as a force for good.  We also incubate new, independent approaches to leadership including the Elders, the Carbon War Room, and the Branson Centres of Entrepreneurship. Virgin Unite's overheads are covered by Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group, meaning that 100% of donations received go direct to the frontline where they are needed most. Join us at www.virginunite.com, follow us @virginunite and like us at facebook/virginunite.

SOURCE: Virgin Mobile Canada

Sommer Ellis, Hill+Knowlton
416-413-4756
[email protected]

Erica Faltous, Virgin Mobile Canada
416-607-8412
[email protected]