Three Auckland children have lost their father to a heart attack, four years after their mother died of the same thing.
Terrence Dixon suffered a sudden heart attack on July 6 and died, despite his 12-year-old son Terry's best efforts at performing CPR.
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Mr Dixon was the sole caregiver for Terry and his daughters Tessa (8) and Tiara (10), raising his children alone after the death of their mother in 2014, who also died from a sudden heart attack.
He was a respected figure in his local community, where he worked at a drycleaners.
Family friend Sandie Pedersen has taken in the three children and intends to care for them until the end of the school year.
A Givealittle page was created on July 9 to raise money for the children, and more than $23,000 has already been donated.
The money will go towards the cost of Mr Dixon's funeral (which was held on Wednesday) as well as food, schooling and other essential needs for his children.
Terry, Tessa and Tiara will also be given grief counselling.
Efforts are being made to keep the three young siblings together as a family unit, according to the Givealittle page.
Newshub.
