Members of a grieving Auckland whanau are thanking compassionate Herald readers and other supporters for helping them to bring home the body of a young mother killed in Queensland this month.
The family of 26-year-old Emily Samuels, who died in a car crash in Logan City on November 19, fearedthey would not be able to raise the $9000 needed to bring her back to her home of Mangere.
But her aunt Elaine Winter said a loan secured in Australia, along with donations from friends, family and others who read about the situation in the Herald, meant her body was able to be flown home on Saturday night.
She said Ms Samuels' family in Australia had also met an outpouring of support from their community, and the loan they needed to repay was reduced from $6500 to $5800.
"We will be going to the bank to get a statement to try to find out who all of these anonymous donors have been so we can send out thank you cards for their support."
Ms Samuels' tangi was held this week at Te Puea Marae in Mangere Bridge, before family performed an emotional haka as her body was taken on to St James Urupa for burial.
"We tried to make it a celebration rather than an occasion for mourning," Ms Winter said. "It's definitely brought the family back together again."
