A local fundraiser in support of Kids Help Phone recently raised $24,000 in support of their services.

Allison Fitzgerald, development officer, Regional Philanthropy and Partnerships Eastern Canada, says about $3.7 million was raised as part of the BMO Walk so Kids Can Talk event last weekend.

Fitzgerald described a spike in the need for their services since the start of the pandemic, with them supporting young people over 19 million times in the last four years.

She says many kids are choosing to avail of their services via text instead of calling in.

Fitzgerald says that can be a beneficial option for many kids, especially for children in households where there may not be a place for them to have a private phone conversation.