'The love they showed to me': Nunavut community, RCMP rally around woman who lost her fianc

On what would end up being their last adventure together,RCMPConst. Graham Holmes and hisfianceKelseyFootefell in love withKugluktuk during his posting to Nunavut's westernmost community.

Thatlove was returned afterthe 30-year-old officerwas killed inasnowmobiling accident andthe community ralliedaround hisgrieving spouse.

• 'It's a shock': RCMP lose one of their own after snowmobile accident in Kugluktuk

And while Kelsey Foote says theNorthern hamlet will always hold a place in herheart, Holmes won't soon be forgotten in Kugluktuk either, thanks to a grassroots fundraiser by Nunavut RCMP.

'The worst day of my life'

Footestruggled in the wake of Holmes' sudden death on April 6.

• RCMP officer dies near Kugluktuk, Nunavut after snowmobile accident

"That was probably the worst day of my life and the days following that, they were so dark," she said.

But a $10,000 cheque that arrived inher mailbox last weekwill help carry on Holmes' legacy; some will go to a scholarship fund, some will go back into Kugluktuk to support a sports program for the hamlet's youth.

"We're still kind of speechless and in awe," saidFooteof receiving the cheque. "I had to read the letter a few times for it to sink in."

'One big family' in the North

After travelling the world together, the British Columbiacouple decided in 2016 to set off on a new adventure.

Initially daunted by the remoteness and the weather, Foote and Holmes left the mild West Coast for a three-year posting to Kugkuktuk.

They arrived in December, when the lows average around 29 C, but the welcome they received was warm.

"Once we got up North, all our fears and worries were dissolved and we were just overwhelmed by the friendliness and the kindness that the community showed us," said Foote.

"We've travelled all over the world and we've never felt anything like that we were part of one big family."

The proposal

One year after they moved to Nunavut, in December 2017, Holmes proposed toFoote on a Christmas trip to Tofino.

She was excited to spend her life with such a "bright light;" a man who loved life,believed in his work and "protected Canadians for a living."

"He treated everyone with respect and dignity and above all, kindness."

They believed they had the rest of their lives to make plans together, which would include moretravel andadventure.

And more of Holmes' favourite activities:being outsidecamping, fishingand exploring.

The accident

He was doing just that on April 6 when his snowmobile tumbled off a 30-meter cliff near Bloody Falls in Kugluk Territorial Park.

Holmes' friend, a fellow RCMP officer, barely stopped himself from going over the cliff as well.

The young men had been en route back totown. Holmes was only about 10 kilometres away from the hamletwhen it happened.

A group of six officers from Iqaluit wasdispatched to relieve the team in Kugluktuk. They arrived the night of April 6to take overshifts, sending officers there home to rest and grieve.

An impromptu vigil

A day after the Iqaluit team including Cpl. Bryan Bowskill arrived, about 75 people from the small hamlet showed up outside the RCMP detachment for an impromptu vigil.

When they realized what was happening, the officers headed outside.

"Certainly something I'd never seen before in my 14 plus years," said Bowskill. "It was meaningful to all of us... to see the community grieving."

Foote was there too.

"Just being in that community they really showed their support, overwhelming really the lovethey showed to me," she said.

"I just can't describe how much that meant to me and how much that really helped me."

Hockey winnings donated

Days later, in a flag drapped casket, Holmes' body was flown back to B.C. by an RCMP plane following an emotional ramp ceremony in Kugluktuk. Foote's mother had travelled to Nunavut to be at her side.

Just weeks after Holmes was killed, the RCMP Bisons hockey team won a tournament in Iqaluit. Their prize was $5,000 and when Bowskill, the team captain, suggested the money go to a scholarship fund in Holmes' name, nobody hesitated.

Bowskill says he was "extremely proud"of the team.

But they wanted to double that and with help from individual RCMP officers, local businesses and other community members, Bowskill was able to sign a cheque for $10,000 and sent it off to Foote.

"I was hopeful that it would bring a bright spot to a very dark time in her life," said Bowskill.

Foote had no idea what was about to show up in her mailbox.

"It's just so wonderful and so touching."

Right away she wanted some of the funds to go back to the place and people which had kept her head above water in those early days.

The Kugluktuk recreation department, or more specifically its youth lacrosse program, will receive a donation in Holmes' name.

The idea is for Holmes to continue "to help and do good for people," says Foote who istrying to get through day by day.

"The world is just kind of pretty bleak and empty here without Graham."