The family of two little New Zealand girls, who lost both their parents to cancer within the same week, has offered an update on their condition following an outpouring of public support and sympathy. The girls, aged just four and eight, were left orphaned when their parents Nigel and Marjan Joyce died within six days of each other after both were diagnosed with cancer within the past two years. A Give a Little fundraiser to assist the girls has raised more than $288,000, with donations still pouring in for the Christchurch family.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Family member John Joyce has now added an update to the fundraiser, providing an insight into how the girls were coping without their parents, as well as thanking the hundreds of strangers who had donated. “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,” Joyce wrote. “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.” Joyce ended the message with “Kia kaha”, a Māori phrase meaning “stay strong”. The family’s nightmare .
