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A brave young man has chosen to be the sole guardian of his two teenage brothers after their parents died within a month of each other.

Brisbane man Jacob Smith, 22, has made the bold decision to take on guardianship of his younger brothers Riley, 17, and Kane, 15.

Their mother Karen Stagg, 48, died in August after battling health issues before their father Adam Smith, 53, died unexpectedly a month later.

Jacob told Yahoo News he didn’t hesitate when he was faced with the choice.

‘I had to do it. I love them, they’re my brothers,’ he said.

He quit his job as a fly-in, fly-out electrician to find a job in the Park Ridge area to be closer to his brothers.

Despite grieving over the death of their parents, who were high-school sweethearts, the trio have found strength with each other.

‘They gave us good morals, which led us to leading a life of success thanks to them,’ Jacob said.

‘They’ve shaped us the way we are, they’ve done so much for us.’

You can support the brothers via GoFundMe here.

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  • It is a huge responsibility for a 22 year old to be caring for teenagers who can be very unruly and rebellious at that age. I hope he has managed to get a good job with the same company he was doing fly in / fly out with. It would make the transition so much easier.
    No doubt he will have some people watching everything he does. I certainly they don’t spread gossip which isn’t correct. People should be supporting them not making criticisms

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  • So sad it’s nice they at least have each other.

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  • What a gorgeous boy. He is doing an amazing job of holding his family together and being the sole carer of his two brothers whilst being such a young man himself.

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  • I hope they can make it work and stay together.

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  • Bless these 3 !

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  • At least they’re not little kids.

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  • Wow electrician my partner is the same fifo at age 22 you must be fully qualified congratulations your doing an amazing job stepping in to look after your brothers

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  • This is so sad losing both their parents in such a short time. So awesome to see the big brother stepping up – would be sad to have them separated if no other family couldn’t take them.

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  • Wow what an awesome set of brothers. Good on them.

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  • That is so sad :( imagine losing both parents in such a short period of time.

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  • How heartbreaking for them. Thankfully they have a strong brother connection to get them through this

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  • Wishing them a good life ahead. What sadness they have endured. A good man to keep his family together after sadly losing their parents.

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  • Such strength and love here. What a credit to their parents. To lose both parents in such a short amount of time would be awful.

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  • Beautiful ! Their parents must be so proud !!
    I can imagine this is a lot of responsibility to carry for a 22yr old. Hope they get the support from family, friends and the wider community.

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  • This is beautiful the bond of theses brothers, i hope they also have lots of support around them. it will be a rough ride. I sure their parents are watching over them.

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  • how lovely of him, their parents would be so proud of them ♡

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  • Beautiful story and such maturity beyond his years

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  • This is such a sad story and one no kids should have to deal with. The loss of one parent would be devastating, but both within that short time would be indescribable pain. I wish the boys all the best

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  • As parents, you hope that your children have this kind of relationship.


    • This is the idea for sure – even thought these circumstances are horrific.

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  • Wishing these brothers the best for the future – may their bond be enduring.

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