Hi my name is Nikki and I have created this go fund me for someone who means so much to so many of us. Maria is the Nonna of my beautiful daughter Bobbi. She has been in my life for 15 years now and is family.

Since November, Maria has been living through every parent's worst nightmare. Her beautiful son, Chris, went missing, and from that day on her entire life became about finding him. She poured everything she had into the search. Her time, her energy, her emotions and her finances all went towards finding Chris.

During those months, Maria wasn't able to work. Every day was spent looking for answers and refusing to give up on Chris.

A month ago, our hearts broke when Chris's remains were found.

On Friday, we said goodbye to Chris. It was a beautiful farewell where we got to honour and celebrate who Chris was, but like many families experience, the funeral also came with significant expenses that have taken a huge financial toll.

In what feels like another cruel and heartbreaking blow, Maria fractured her foot the very next day. She is now required to be in a moon boot for the next two months while she recovers.

Right now, the last thing Maria should be worrying about is how she's going to pay the bills or how quickly she needs to get back to work. She deserves the time to grieve the loss of her son and to recover from her injury without carrying the weight of financial stress as well.

I am hoping to raise enough to help ease some of that pressure. All funds raised will be provided directly to Maria through her son, Ash, to help cover Chris’s funeral expenses, everyday living costs, and to ease the financial pressure while she takes the time she needs to grieve and recover before returning to work.

Anyone who knows Maria knows she is one of the kindest, most caring and selfless people you could ever meet. She's the first person to show up when someone else needs help, and she'd never ask for help herself. That's why I’m asking on her behalf.

If you're able to donate, no matter how big or small, our family will be forever grateful. And if you can't donate, simply sharing this page would mean the world to us.

From the bottom of my heart and the rest of the family, thank you for your kindness, your generosity and for helping give Maria the time and space she needs to heal.

In memory of our beautiful Chris.