Dillon Hillier's brother crowdsourcing to buy him tactical gear for Christmas
Russel Hillier is raising money to buy his brother Dillon night vision goggles for Christmas
Latest
- As of Friday afternoon, Hillier said he reached his fundraising goal to buy night vision goggles
- The fundraising goal has now been increased to to buy more equipment and medical supplies for Dillon
Just in time for Christmas, a Calgary man is crowdsourcing to buy tactical gear for his brother who is fighting alongside a group battling the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Russell Hillier's brother, Dillon, flew to northern Iraq in November to aid Kurdish troops, who have been battling ISIS for months.
Russel says Dillon made the decision after the terrorist attacks in Ottawa.
"He'd been thinking of travelling there for quite some time. But certainly, the murder of Cpl. Cirillo and Warrant Officer Vincent galvanized Dillon to action," Russell said. "He felt he couldn't sit back anymore. And he felt that he had a skill set which he could use to defend and protect innocent people."
Dillon Hillier, 26, is a retired corporal in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
Before taking a job as a welder in Calgary, he served in Afghanistan.
Hillier is one of a half-dozen former Canadian Forces personnel whom CBC News previously reported had planned to join the Kurdish military.
Russell Hillier is trying to raise $8,200 to send his brother night vision goggles through the crowdfunding site www.helpdillon.ca.
"From what Dillon tells me, ISIS often attacks in the night. The first battle he was in was because ISIS was able to over-run a Kurdish position under the cover of darkness," he said.
"So if Dillon is able to have these night vision goggles, it will be a complete game-changer for him. And it will be a huge tactical advantage."
Russell would eventually like to raise more money to buy his brother an optical scope, medical supplies and a bulletproof vest.
On Dec. 1, Hillier posted a dramatic video from the front lines, where he can be seen bandaging a wounded man.
"The Kurdish forces credited Dillon with saving that man's life, on that day."
While it's not illegal for Canadians to join the Kurdish Pshmerga, the federal government is discouraging military veterans from doing it.
WARNING: Video below contains graphic language.
