The grieving children whose parents died of cancer within days of each other have thanked the public who donated thousands of dollars so they wouldn’t lose their family home.

On February 11, Julie Bennet, 50, died, making her three children Luke, 21, Hannah, 18, and Oliver, 13, orphans.

Just five days earlier, her husband Mike, 57, died on February 6, after being told he had a brain tumour back in 2013.

A heartbreaking photograph of Mrs Bennet holding the hand of her husband as they said their final goodbyes in St John’s Hospital in Merseyside sparked a wave of sympathy, shares Daily Mail.

Their children released the poignant image of them holding hands and their friends vowed to support them after they feared they were going to lose their home.

A JustGiving page set up after the devastating news raised a staggering $336,000.

Luke and Hannah have now been able to continue their studies, food is on the table and the mortgage payments have been met, reports David Sanderson at The Times.

Speaking to the paper from their home in the Wirral, Luke said: ‘Initially it was people we knew directly and then it was people from all around the world just being so generous. It is absolutely amazing. We are so grateful.’

‘We now have enough financial security. It would be nice if we could put a portion of it towards other charitable things. Hopefully give back some of the generosity we have received.’

Speaking about being a father-figure to his younger brother, Oliver, he said: ‘We have got a deal on bedtime which is 10 o’clock generally.

‘He’s always been a good lad but he is less argumentative than he might have been previously. I think he recognises that we need him not to be.’

We wish them so much support at this terrible time. It is great to hear the community is rallying around them.

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Image Daily Mail