Sebastian Andrews with his wife and kids. (GoFundMe)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Overwhelming Support

RCMP Veterans Association creates GoFundMe to support officer who lost home in fire

May 5, 2023 | 5:01 PM

Former RCMP officers are trying to help a fellow officer who’s going through a very challenging time.

Sebastian Andrews, the detachment commander for Spiritwood RCMP, lost his home in a fire on Wednesday. Thankfully, he, his wife, and their two kids were not at home at the time.

“The house is completely gone. It was devastating for us… we lost everything,” Andrews said.

The Saskatoon Division of the RCMP Veteran’s Association was having a meeting earlier this week when they found out about the fire. That’s when they came together as a group and created a GoFundMe page to help raise some money for the family.

“That job is tough enough without trying to rebuild your life,” said Warren Gherasim, the second vice-president of the Saskatoon Division of the RCMP Veteran’s Association. “People are always calling the force (to get help), but very seldom do people think that the RCMP members themselves need help.”

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In the first six hours, the fundraiser ended up raising around $15,000. Gherasim explained they originally set a goal of $25,000 but have since raised it to $35,000.

The total officially passed $30,000 late Friday afternoon.

“I wasn’t even aware, they just did it,” said Andrews.

He said he can’t thank the Veteran’s Association and everyone else who’s helped over the past couple of days enough. This includes the RCMP who had clothes available for the family as soon as they arrived at their hotel and several people who live in Spiritwood, Witchekan Lake First Nation, and Pelican Lake First Nation who’ve donated other items.

“Thanks so much for the support, it gives us faith,” said Andrews.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow