Kiwis have rallied to show their support for two young girls after both their parents died of cancer a week apart.
A Givealittle page for the Joyce family, from Ōtautahi/Christchurch, has seen over $262,000 raised from more than 4000 donors.
It comes after dad Nigel was diagnosed with a brain tumour, then shortly after, mum Marjan was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.
In a "devastating turn of events", Nigel's health went downhill on ANZAC Day and he was given two weeks to live, the Givealittle page, set up by friend Angela Hawkins, says.
Adding to the family's devastation, after just finishing radiation treatment and being told her breast cancer had gone, tragically Marjan began experiencing vision loss and seizures and found out the cancer had spread through her brain.
Nigel died on May 31, then on June 6 Marjan died.
The Givealittle page described the trauma of both parents falling ill as "unimaginably challenging".
Money raised will go towards funeral costs and to support Marjan's and Nigel's girls, aged 4 and 8.
"Their family is beyond devastated and is doing their best to support each other and maintain some semblance of normalcy for their two young girls during this unimaginable situation," the Givealittle page said.
"This page is set up to support the girls and the family as they navigate this heart-wrenching time. As parents, this situation strikes a deep chord, and as we look at the faces of our loved ones, we can only begin to imagine the pain they are enduring."
Generous Kiwis have flocked to support the family.
"My heart hurts for these two beautiful girls," one doner commented.
"So sorry for such a sad, unfair loss," another said.
