WATCH ABOVE: A fundraiser was held in St. Albert Saturday in honour of Auxiliary Cst. Derek Bond and the family of RCMP Cst. David Wynn. Lisa Wolansky has the details.
EDMONTON — An evening of entertainment and a silent auction was held in St. Albert Saturday in support of Auxiliary Cst. Derek Bond and the family of RCMP Cst. David Wynn.
The event kicked off Saturday afternoon with several musical performances. The Pipes and Drums of the Edmonton Police Service also performed at the St. Albert Inn & Suites.
The auction included numerous items, including a guitar signed by country music superstar Luke Bryan, a fighter jet experience and several signed Edmonton Oilers jerseys.
“We asked for donations from individuals and local businesses and … people delivered,” said Chelsa Mills, one of the organizers. “They’ve given generously.”
“The support has been immense; it’s been unbelievable, actually,” added volunteer Janet Harroun.
A five-day trip to Hawaii was also up for auction. The trip was donated by a Stettler car dealership during an area couple’s search for the most loving person in central Alberta.
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Funds raised at Saturday’s auction will go to help Cst. Bond and the family of Cst. Wynn. Both men were shot while investigating a suspicious vehicle complaint at a St. Albert casino in mid-January. Bond was taken to hospital after being shot in the arm. He was later released, but will require ongoing care.
Wynn passed away in hospital four days after being shot in the head at close range. Thousands of people gathered to say goodbye to Wynn five days later at a regimental funeral in St. Albert.
WATCH: Some of the key moments from the procession and service for Const. David Wynn
Those involved in Saturday’s event say it spurred from the numerous offers of support from the community.
“We’re a very close-knit community and this devastated our entire community so we pulled together,” said Harroun.
For more information on Saturday’s auction and event, visit Ward’s Auctions’ website.
The RCMP Veterans Association Edmonton Division has set up a family support fund in Wynn’s memory. The fund will also provide assistance to Bond and his family. Donations can be made at any CIBC branch across Canada. For more information on the fund visit the City of St. Albert’s website.