A FUNDRAISER set up to support two Redditch brothers who lost both of their parents to coronavirus has raised nearly £2,000.

Carol and her husband Nigel Joyce, both 64 from Church Hill, fell ill with the virus around the same time last month and later died 11 days apart.

Their deaths came as a huge shock to their sons Kevin Joyce and his brother Paul, who say they were very close to their parents.

A GoFundMe campaign was set up by Kevin and Paul's cousin Jordan Flynn, who wanted to support them through this "difficult and unexpected time."

Carol and Nigel Joyce with their granddaughter

Carol and Nigel Joyce with their granddaughter

READ MORE: Heartbreak as Redditch couple with Covid die 11 days apart

Hundreds of residents paid tribute to the popular couple on social media and shared the appeal in support of the family.

Campaign organiser Jordan Flynn said: "The reason I set it up wasn't just for money, it was for support. I didn't expect it to blow up like it has."

He says he feels the fundraiser has helped "cushion the blow" and has shown that people are there to support his family. He said Carol and Nigel were "lovely people with big hearts."

People can donate to the fundraiser here.

Kevin says he is surprised by how much has been raised so far and has thanked the public for their support.

Carol, Kevin and Nigel Joyce

Carol, Kevin and Nigel Joyce

He said: "We really appreciate the fact that everyone has been so generous. The majority of the donations are from people that we know.

"It's generated a lot of social media interest. We lost two dear people. It was great for them to have that response."

His dad Nigel used to work at the Rover plant in Longbridge before becoming a full time carer for Carol. Kevin says he "gave his life for her".

He described his mother as a humble person, with one of the most "infectious smiles" and his dad as a generous man who was "full of jokes".