Thousands of dollars have been raised for a family battling cancer who lived in the Upper Clutha for many years.

Paul (Kerly) Kerr, Kirsty Barr and their son Leon lived in their hand-built housetruck between Wānaka and Hāwea until 2017 when the pull of being closer to extended family and new job opportunities drew them to Wellington.

It was not long after the family had finished restoring a former state house in Porirua into their new home that Kerly was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. 

Wānaka resident and friend of the family Kim Baker set up a Givealittle fundraiser page earlier this week to help support the family.

Kirsty and Kerly in 2018 before the cancer diagnosis.

“From the last bone marrow result, the disease is progressing rapidly and Kerly has been told he has very limited time left,” Kim said. “There are some drug options that will buy some more time but they are not funded and cost $10,000 a month.”

They plan to try out the treatment for a month initially, to see how helpful it is.

Kim said the money was being raised for “drugs to extend life, flights for family to be together [and] anything that makes life easier for them”.

Caroline Harker, another Wānaka resident and friend of Kirsty and Kerly’s, helped convince the pair that Kim setting up a Givealittle page was a good idea.

“Everyone wants to do something to help but it’s very hard especially because Kerly’s condition means any visitors can pose health risks,” Caroline said.

Friend Caroline Harker says Kerly (pictured with Kirsty at Wellington Hospital in January) “has never lost his trademark sense of humour”.

“This Givealittle is great because all the people who care about them now have a way they can help.”

Caroline has kept in close contact with the family since their move to Wellington. 

“The amazing thing is that despite his diagnosis Kerly has remained realistic, optimistic and he has never lost his trademark sense of humour,” she said. 

The family made a strong mark on the local community during their time here.

Kirsty, who worked for Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) as a school travel coordinator, was a passionate advocate for providing safe biking routes to get kids to and from school and was heavily involved in soccer, which son Leon played while attending Mount Aspiring College.

Kerley, a skilled craftsman and passionate kitesurfer, worked as a builder before retraining as an architectural draughtsman. He has designed many local homes. 

The family are all huge outdoors enthusiasts and Caroline said they used to bike the Deans Bank trail “just about every day”.

The Givealittle to help support the family has raised $5,600 so far.

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PHOTOS: Supplied