Strangers raise $250,000 for pregnant mother of triplets after husband's suicide
More than $250,000 has been raised for a devastated mum-to-be of triplets after her husband passed away in a self-harm incident involving a car.
Matt and Ashleigh Conwell had been tightly budgeting to prepare for the arrival of their three babies before Matt took his own life on September 2nd.
With the three children due just before Christmas, strangers took it upon themselves to help out the heartbroken family.
Nicola Britton, GoFundMe's Australian senior regional manager, said the heartbreaking story resonated with members of the community, The Courier Mail reported.
"The more close-knit a community, the quicker donations come in, and this one escalated very quickly due to the circumstances," she said.
"Generosity hasn't slowed down this year, and that's really surprised me; at a time of such social and economic uncertainty, people are turning compassion into action and donating is their way to show they are there for someone."
Devastated Ashleigh agreed to let her friend Alex Nesevski set up a GoFundMe page.
"Ashleigh isn't the sort of person who would ask for help, and money can never replace the loss of her husband, but she knows she needs support," Mrs Nesevski previously told Daily Mail Australia.
She explained the costs of pregnancy, delivery and caring for triplets that would be "challenging for any couple" are especially difficult for a jobless single mother.
"They were already stretching every dollar and budgeting tightly for the arrival of their unexpected but so very wanted family ... the financial hardship she now finds herself in is significant," she said.
"She has to see a specialist every two weeks because carrying three babies is a huge physical strain - growing bones and brains."
Ashleigh's sister Emily said that her brother in law wasn't thinking clearly when he took his own life.
"It was a snap decision, a moment of clouded judgement, and totally out of character," she said.
"This year's been tough for everyone, even the strongest people you thought could get through it ... it just shows suicide doesn't discriminate," she said.
"It wasn't meant to be this way".