Community rallies to grant dying woman's wish

A Wanganui woman's dying wish to see her Philipino brother will come true after the community raised $8000 in just over a week.

Gina Forrest, aged 48, has been given only weeks to live after the sudden onset of liver cancer a few weeks ago.

When she expressed a wish to see her older brother Supicio Yabo once more "to talk of memories and their lives", locals pulled out all the stops.

The pair hadn't seen each other for more than 10 years and neither could afford to pay for the flights to bring him out from the Philippines.

Ms Forrest's second-year UCOL nursing student colleagues, together with her workmates from Countdown Supermarket, where she has worked for nearly a decade, decided to launch an appeal.

After little more than a week, the fund stands at $8000, with donations still coming in.

UCOL spokeswoman Erin O'Connell said they were so thrilled because it was enough to bring both Mr Yabo and Ms Forrest's 25-year-old nephew, Gerald, as well.

"We are just blown away with the support for Gina. But everyone who knows her loves her, because she is a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all," Ms O'Connell told the Wanganui Chronicle.

Countdown Supermarket manager Braden Crossan said Ms Forrest was the loveliest person and not only staff but dozens of customers all donated to the fund.

Father David Bell, of St Mary's Catholic Church, said Ms Forrest was a special parishioner, and last Sunday the congregation collected $800 for their little church friend "with the big smile".

- NZPA