Supporting Esther, Tim and Their Three Children
Support Esther, Tim and their three children as they navigate cancer treatment and a move closer to care.
Southbridge, Canterbury
Our family is reaching out for help during the hardest chapter of our lives.
Just over a month ago, my sister in law Esther was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She is married to Tim (my wife's brother) and is mum to three beautiful children, Frankie (12), Arthur (10), and Maggie (4).
Esther has started chemotherapy and is now on her second round, which is beginning to respond. After months of difficult news, that small bit of progress feels like real hope. In the coming months she is scheduled for surgery, and we remain hopeful that treatment will continue to have a positive effect.
The road ahead is long, and the family is stretched thin emotionally, physically, and financially. Between treatment, time off work, travel to appointments, and the extra support the children need, costs have mounted quickly.
To be closer to specialist care, Tim and Esther are preparing to sell their home and relocate to Christchurch. Alongside treatment, they are also facing urgent household repairs and the practical realities of preparing a family home for sale.
As a wider family, we are helping with childcare, school runs, appointments, meals, and day to day support wherever we can. We are creating this page to help ease some of the financial pressure so Tim and Esther can focus on what matters most, time together as a family.
Thank you for taking the time to read their story and for any support you are able to give.
Thomas Stephens' involvement (page creator)
Esther is my sister-in-law and Tim is my brother-in-law. Alongside Esther's wider family, we help care for the children, provide practical support, and assist the family through treatment, appointments, and the challenges of everyday life.
Use of funds
Funds will help cover travel to chemotherapy, specialist appointments and surgery, accommodation, childcare, meals and household expenses, loss of income during treatment and recovery, preparing the family home for sale, and relocating closer to care.
Latest update
Goal Increased to Support Esther's Recovery 13 July 2026
Update:
Thanks to your incredible generosity, we're almost at our original goal of $21,000.
Tomorrow, Esther faces major surgery—an important step in her fight against ovarian cancer. While we're hopeful, we now know the road ahead will involve a lengthy recovery, ongoing treatment, and at least four months of reduced income.
With that in mind, we've increased our Givealittle goal to $36,000. We believe this is a realistic reflection of the financial impact ahead and will help ease the pressure on Esther, Tim, Frankie, Arthur and Maggie as they focus on recovery and family.
Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared the page, or supported our family in any way. Your kindness has meant more than words can say.
If you're able to donate or share the Givealittle page, we'd be incredibly grateful. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps make this journey a little easier. ❤️
Picture
Yesterday's special goblet coffee. ☕❤️
When your brother-in-law finds a goblet like that in the cupboard, a normal-sized coffee is no longer an option! Keeping spirits high before surgery.
Latest donations
Who's involved?
Help Fundraise
You can create your own page to help fundraise for this cause.Page Q&A
Ask a question hereAny concerns?
Report this pageThank the donor
Your message will be displayed on the page and emailed to the donor.
Your new message will also be emailed to the donor.
Saving a blank entry will delete the current comment.