By ROSALEEN MACBRAYNE
After the third family funeral in a little over three years, Gareth Robinson faces a daunting future.
The 16-year-old is the sole survivor of his family after his father, Ross, 45; sister Kirsty, 17, and now his mother, Val, 51, each died in tragic circumstances.
He has had to leave
the rented home at Pukehina beach in the Bay of Plenty.
Distressed friends, at a loss to know how best to help the Te Puke High School Year 11 student, have launched an appeal for donations.
Said one: "Money can't replace anybody but we can at least give him a boost for his future."
Gareth has moved in with long-time Robinson family supporters Brian and Nicola Goldsbury, at least until the school year finishes.
He is nursing a broken hand - the result of an uncharacteristic burst of rage and initial grief after finding his mother dead in bed when he took her a morning cup of tea on Monday.
The teenager telephoned for an ambulance and then smashed his fist against the garage.
Val Robinson is believed to have had a heart attack just eight days before the second anniversary of her daughter's death.
Mrs Robinson will be farewelled at 1pm today at a service in the Pukehina community hall.
Kirsty's ashes, not yet scattered, will eventually be released by Gareth with those of their mother near Plate Island off the Maketu coast, where Ross Robinson drowned after a boat capsized in April 2000.
* Donations to the Gareth Robinson Trust Fund can be made at any BNZ branch.
