A fundraiser is in the works for the daughter of an armoured car guard who was gunned down last month at the University of Alberta.
Brian Ilesic was one of three guards killed at the U of A’s HUB mall complex while they were refilling ATM machines.
Ilesic left behind a 12-year-old daughter, Kiannah. The fundraiser next Friday is meant to strengthen a trust fund in her name.
The fundraiser is planned for The Rink on St. Albert Trail. The event will feature three live bands – El Kabong, Raygun Cowboys and Saga – along with several door prizes.
“Brian was always a very giving father to Kiannah, If he had to eat Kraft Dinner for a month so she can have an iPad, so she could have something, he would make that sacrifice,” said Cielito Villanueva, one of Ilesic’s close friends.
Villanueva said he had known Ilesic for 20 years and his daughter was incredibly important to him. In his absence, he said, family and friends want to make sure Kiannah is looked after.
“It is a bit of making sure that she has a bright future,” he said. “Because he is unable to fulfill that promise any longer we help him to do that.”
Villanueva said they hope to have a fund that will help cover Kiannah’s education and be something she can fall back on. He said the family hopes that regardless of what might happen with insurance, this will be an absolute guarantee for her future.
Villanueva said Brian’s family has really stepped up in organizing the event and he is just helping where he can.
There will be an auction along with the door prizes that already includes prizes from the Edmonton Eskimos, Edmonton Oilers and Game On Sports. They also plan a 50/50 draw.
Tickets for the event can be purchased at The Rink for $10 either at the door or in advance. Donations to the trust fund can be made directly at any ScotiaBank to the Kiannah Ilesic Trust Fund.
Also killed in the U of A shooting were Eddie Rejano, 39 and Michelle Shegelski, 26. Another guard was critically wounded.
Ilesic’s parents recently moved to St. Albert from Edmonton. Ilesic was living with them at the time of the shooting.
