London, Ont. - The feeling was electric as bid cards shot up in support of mental health at the 29th Country Classic Auction (CCA) presented by Siskinds | The Law Firm.

Preceded by an emotional rendition of The Fray’s “How to Save a Life” performed by Ivory Hours singer Luke Roes, in just 10 minutes audience members had pledged $161,000 in donations to the cause during the auction’s “Make a Difference Appeal.”

“What a feeling. Our donors are phenomenal,” says CCA co-chair Mike Malleck. “They more than doubled last year’s $72,000 mark.”

The appeal was all part of the evening’s fun for 1,250 hospital supporters who showed up at the Western Fair District’s Metroland Media Agriplex on November 5, dressed-down in western attire to enjoy a gourmet BBQ and shopping their way through 17 live auction and more than 525 silent auction items.

This year’s event, themed “A Grand Ole Night in Nashville”, supported LHSF’s Mental Health Campaign. The campaign’s $12 million goal includes support for London Health Sciences Centre’s early-intervention and transition-age programs, patient-assistance funding, as well as research-and-innovation catalyst funding.

Mental Health Services at LHSC is among the few programs of its kind in Canada to address the entire lifespan, with a treatment model based on the knowledge that earlier interventions produce better outcomes.

“This year, auction proceeds will help fund innovative research - leading to new discoveries, new treatments and new protocols that will benefit patient-centred mental health care,” says LHSF President and CEO John MacFarlane.

Including the Make A difference Appeal, the auction raised close to $500,000 (net).

Topping off the evening was a surprise performance by 2016 Juno Award Group of the Year Walk Off The Earth. Especially known for their brilliant 5-people-playing-one-guitar interpretation of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know”, the band turned in a sensational performance of covers and original songs.

This is the seventh time that the CCA has been able to attract top-name, award-winning artists including Burton Cummings, Serena Ryder, Tom Cochrane with Red Rider, Great Big Sea, Barenaked Ladies, and Blue Rodeo. The name of the entertainment is always a surprise – kept a closely guarded secret until revealed during bidding for the last auction item of the evening. This year, that item was a Baden guitar and included a private meet-and-greet with Walk Off The Earth at the end of the concert.

A small army of volunteers, a large group of sponsors, and hundreds of businesses and individuals who donate the auction’s many items help make this event so popular that it is the largest and longest-running charity auction in the region - and one of the largest in Canada.

“It truly is the outstanding commitment of Siskinds, Shoppers Drug Mart and all our partners, along with our dedicated volunteers and great donors who made the Country Classic Auction so amazing this year”, says CCA Co-Chair Reg Jackson.

To see photos of this year’s event or to donate, visit www.lhsf.ca and click on “Special Events.”