The Weeknd donates $1million to COVID-19 relief funds

Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, has donated $1million CAD to coronavirus relief efforts hot on the heels of donating $500,000 to multiple organisations working for racial equality earlier this month.

Half of Tesfaye's donations will go to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund, while the other $500,000 will be donated to healthcare workers at Scarborough Health Network in his hometown of Toronto, Ontario.

The donation to MusiCares was raised through sales of The Weeknd's XO face masks, and Tesfaye has matched the proceeds amount in the donation.

In a statement, The Weeknd said, "I was raised in Scarborough and felt it was important to give back to the community that raised me during the hard times of this pandemic."

Scarborough Health Network CEO Elizabeth Buller added, "Our vibrant and diverse community represents the best of Canada, and we are fortunate to have ambassadors like The Weeknd in our corner. This gift will help our community hospitals continue to deliver exceptional care for the people of Scarborough in the wake of COVID-19, and demonstrates to our courageous staff and physicians that their critical work does not go unnoticed or unappreciated."