Hundreds turn out for cupcake fundraiser in memory of Bailey McCourt

Long and steady lines stretched down the block outside Cupcasions bakery in Kelowna Tuesday.

Long and steady lines stretched down the block outside a Kelowna bakery Tuesday, as hundreds turned out for a fundraiser in memory of Bailey McCourt.

The event was organized by the owner of Cupcasions bakery, who wanted to honour the mother of two who was killed earlier this month.

“I was surprised, but I’m not surprised,” said Libbie Phillips, of the huge turnout. “Kelowna is an amazing community. When the need arises, we jump in.”

Cupcasions donated all proceeds from the day’s sales, and customers began lining up well before doors opened.

They didn’t stop coming.

McCourt died on July 4 when she was attacked by a man with a hammer in Kelowna parking lot.

Her parents, Karen Fehr and Shane McCourt, were among those who visited the bakery for the fundraising event.

“I just broke down crying over the support. It’s incredible,” said her mother.

Her father added: “She was my firstborn. She’s got a special place in my heart.”

McCourt’s ex-husband and the father of her youngest daughter, James Plover, has been charged with second-degree murder.

Earlier on the morning of the attack, he was convicted on four counts in a domestic violence case.

• Read more: No talk of custody when B.C. man was convicted of choking. Then, his ex-partner was killed.

Kelowna’s mayor told CTV News the community is grieving and frustrated by what many see as a preventable tragedy.

“There is a lot of hurt that this has caused,” said Tom Dyas. “So, the concern that the community is showing right now is just the love that is here.”

The team at Cupcasions started work at 5:30 a.m. to meet demand, because so many pre-orders had already poured in.