The wife of the pilot and war hero killed when his helicopter crashed as he fought the Port Hills fires is "amazed" by the support for her family.
Steve Askin, 37, died on Tuesday afternoon when the helicopter he was in crashed near the Sugarloaf telecommunications tower near the summit of the Christchurch hills.
He is survived by his wife Elizabeth, and children Isabelle, 7, and 4-year-old Bowie.
A Givealittle page was set up after Askin's death by a relative.
By early Sunday evening more than $200,000 had been donated. A second Givealittle page had nearly $50,000 in donations.
"Elizabeth is amazed how much support she has received from New Zealand and overseas," the relative said in a post on the Givealittle page published earlier today.
"She is still in shock but has been encouraged by all the tributes that have come through as people donate.
"I think everyone wants to support Elizabeth, Bowie and Isabelle because they know what a huge sacrifice Steve made - both in the army and fighting the Christchurch fires.
Askin is a military hero who was awarded the NZ Galantry Star for his efforts fighting for the SAS in Afghanistan in 2014.
His funeral will be held tomorrow at Christchurch's Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram.
Wilton revealed that Askin's SAS comrades will act as pallbearers at the service.
Elizabeth Askin's sister Anne said she was struggling to cope with the loss of her husband.
"Seeing Liz in this pain is the hardest thing for me."
Askin's body was brought home on Friday.
"The family... say it has been good to be able to touch the coffin and have Steve home with them," the relative wrote.
"The whole family is grieving together but are comforted by knowing Steve had a strong faith in God."
The relative said on the fundraising page that the messages of support were "a real help" to Elizabeth Askin.
"Steve's Facebook page is now 'in memorium' and his mates have been posting tributes there too."
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