A fundraiser in support of an organization that helped people affected by a series of devastating wildfires in this province has exceeded fundraising expectations.

The We Stand on Guard Once More benefit concert raised more than $1.2-million in support of the Canadian Red Cross last night.

The lineup included performances by Buddy Wasisname & the Other Fellers, Shanneyganock with Bud Davidge, and The Ennis Sisters.
The provincial government matched the more than half a million dollars raised.

Premier Tony Wakeham outlined a number of measures at the event that his government plans to implement to avoid another year of devastating fires.

“If we start talking about what we can do, building the firewalls for example, making sure we got the right equipment, getting that fifth water bomber fixed finally so that it’d be able to be put in service, hiring more people that work in the forest fire part of it, making sure that our long-term firefighters have the right equipment. All of these things are part of how we help mitigate some of the challenges that we will face.”