The three young sisters, orphaned after their parents took their own lives in separate tragedies two years apart, are overwhelmed by the kindness shown to them.
Aerobics Oz Style TV star and advertising presenter Erin Jayne Plummer took her own life in 2022, and husband Alan died in November last year after his own mental health problems.
Australians have now opened their hearts and wallets to their heartbroken daughters, aged 18, 15 and 10, with friends, family and strangers offering their support to a crowdfunding campaign.
The twin tragedies have seen eldest daughter Elani, who has only just completed her HSC, appointed guardian of her younger sisters.
The middle sibling, 15, now lives interstate during the school term after being awarded a sports scholarship, but the youngest sister is now Elani’s full-time responsibility.
A GoFundMe started by a family friend to ease the financial burden the girls face following Mr Plummer’s death, almost $50,000 has now been raised for the family.
“As they face a future without both parents, we, their community, come together to provide the support and stability they need,” the appeal said.
The friend said the money would go toward “the resources to get ahead, help with education, emotional support and a secure base.”
A GoFundMe appeal for the Plummer daughters has almost reached its $50,000 goal. Mr. Plummer is pictured with his three daughters
Elani Plummer had just turned 18 when his father committed suicide and says she will take parental responsibility for her sisters for him
Elani Plummer explained how her father had tried to let her continue her childhood after losing his wife, “while everyone else saw me as a mother.” Erin Jayne and Alan Plummer are pictured on their wedding day
After the appeal reached $41,385 of its $50,000 goal last month, the family friend posted an emotional update on the fundraising page.
“Thank you all so much for your generosity,” it added.
‘It’s incredible to see so many people coming to the aid of three beautiful girls and helping them shape their future.
“I know they are all grateful and amazed at the generosity you have all shown.
“The sheer support is a testament to how many people have shown a willingness to stand up and support those who need help in times like these.”
Elani paid tribute to the support they had received during a eulogy at their father’s funeral at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium in December.
But she also admitted that the future was daunting without either of her parents to help and guide her now.
“Firstly, I would like to say a huge thank you to the families who have taken three girls into their care over the past three weeks,” she told mourners.
‘We love you so much.
“Nothing our family has experienced over the past two years could have prepared me for the loss of my best friend.”
Since Mr. Plummer’s death, his daughters have been embraced by close friends of their parents, who have wrapped loving arms around the siblings and taken them into their home.
The three young daughters of television host Erin Jayne Plummer have said their final goodbyes to their late father, two years after their mother committed suicide. Eldest daughter Elani is pictured on the far right
She said the tragic loss was made even more difficult because of the close bond she shared with her father.
“He made me feel like a child when everyone else looked to me as a mother, or a guardian for my sisters,” she said.
“And I wish I didn’t have to give up that sense of freedom and childhood, but in the end, he’s the only person I would give it up for.”
Mr Plummer was found dead in Freshwater on the city’s northern beaches on November 10 after failing to meet a friend for a morning swim.
The girlfriend called police to request a welfare check and officers arrived at the Plummer family home in the same suburb to inform Elani that her father was missing.
His body was found an hour later by a lifeguard at the foot of a cliff at Freshwater Beach.
Mr Plummer’s death came two months after he sold the family’s Freshwater home, which he and Erin bought in 2002.
Elani was celebrating a friend’s 18th birthday the night before her father’s body was found.
Ms Plummer, a much-loved TV presenter of Today Extra and Studio 10, also struggled with her mental health before her body was found at the foot of the Manly cliff.
Friends said that in the weeks before her suicide, Erin was no longer her “bouncy, energetic self.” “I wish we could have found a way out for her,” one said.
Colleagues at Studio 10 said they would miss her ‘sunshine’ in the studio and that the channel was ‘losing a bit of its sparkle’.
In addition to her television career, Erin was an accomplished synchronized swimmer who represented Australia at three world championships and won eleven national titles.
But it was her TV commercial roles for which Erin was best known.
Over the years, she has developed everything from massage chairs and exercise programs to slimming jeans and steam mops.