Please help a Kiwi family living in Australia

Thanks to everyone who has donated to this cause so far - you kindness has been so appreciated by the family.

Just to update you all - Owen's treatment has now started and he is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy which will go on for quite a few more months so the ongoing treatment is still placing a considerable financial strain on the family - if we could share this again and see if we can get some more donations to reach our goal that would be amazing - thank you all so much.

Owen Howells, a Kiwi, who was recently made redundant whilst living in Brisbane and was about to relocate to Adelaide to take up a fantastic new job, has just been diagnosed with two types of cancer in his throat and tonsils. Due to the diagnosis the specialists have advised Owen not to relocate and take up the new job as his treatment plan must start immediately and is intensive.

This has put considerable financial pressure on the family, with his wife, Marie, working to support the family whilst also being the main carer for Owen at this time. The emotional and financial toll on this family is huge and it is such unfortunate timing as Owen's redundancy had already placed a financial burden on them.

Owen worked for a number of large Accountancy firms in Auckland's CBD and commuted to the city on the Gulf Harbour Ferry where he made many friends - myself being one of them!

Marie is a much loved and hard-working midwife with a big heart and warm personality who also specialises in Special Care Baby Units. She brings joy to many families delivering their babies, looking after them and supporting new mothers on this new journey. Marie is well known both in Brisbane where she currently works at Ipswich Hospital and in New Zealand, where she worked at the Breast Screening Clinic in Newmarket, was a midwife for many years at North Shore Hospital in Auckland, and at Manuka Street Hospital during their time in Nelson in the South Island. Owen and Marie have two children, Luke and Angharad, who both grew up and attended schools in Glenfield and Whangaparaoa from primary school years onwards.

Please help Marie and Owen in their own fight of their lives by giving any small amount you can which will help them financially. Despite all they are going through - Owen and Marie maintain a positive and loving outlook whilst still being able to see the funny side of things - such as Owen's comment just before undergoing his recent surgery to remove his tonsils - he quipped "well at least I'll get to eat ice-cream!".

These are my friends and fellow Kiwis who need help at this moment in time and I would be so grateful if you can help in any small way.