The Mayor of Sun Peaks says his community is donating $1,200 towards the efforts to rebuild the Village of Lytton.

Mayor Al Raine says it came about after a letter from the Regional District of Mount Waddington on Vancouver Island which put out a challenge to other local governments to donate to the community which was destroyed by a wildfire on June 30.

“It said, ‘hey everybody in B.C. should support and if municipalities were to give $1 per resident that would be most helpful for the folks of Lytton and the surrounding First Nations.’ We’re going to make a commitment for $1,200,” he said.

In their letter, Directors with the Regional District of Mount Waddington, said their gesture is meant to show the people of Lytton that they are not alone. Their contributing to the Lytton rebuild was $3,413.

“The people of the Regional District of Mount Waddington are independent, resilient, and compassionate. Although we may be a little geographically and politically isolated, we are caring, and community oriented,” the letter said. “When trouble befalls one of our friends, we show up to help.”

“This is a time for solidarity and the rebuilding of community, lives, and dreams The Regional District of Mount Waddington is honoured to contribute.”

About 18 per cent of Lytton residents have said they will be not be returning to live there, even if the community is rebuilt while about 25 per cent of residents who live outside of the town core are already home.