The family of two little girls orphaned after their parents died within days of one another have provided an update following the double tragedy. Oriana and Emily Joyce lost their parents to cancer this year. Dad Nigel Joyce tragically died on May 31, while mum Marjan lost her battle with the illness a week later on June 6.
The family from Christchurch, New Zealand was torn apart within a week by the parents' deaths. People across the world moved by the heartbreaking story have now raised thousands in donations. More than $287,000 had been raised by Monday night as donations continue to flood in to support Oriana, eight, and four-year-old Emily.
The girls' extended family have now thanked people across the world for their generosity, saying the youngsters were now being cared for by relatives. An update on the family's fundraiser from relative John Joyce read: "The Joyce family would like to take this opportunity to share their immense gratitude for the outpouring of kindness and support from far and wide, that has been offered to them, and Nigel and Marjan's beautiful girls over the past few weeks." He added: "We acknowledge that things are tough for a lot of people at the moment, but the generosity that has been shown is truly overwhelming.
We would also like you all to know that the girls continue to be loved and cared for by the family, as they work through this difficult period and move into the next phase of our lives." The touching update ended with the te reo Māori .
