People from across Australia are donating money to help return the bodies of two brothers found in a river in Townsville to Darwin, where the family is from.
The boys aged three and five, were found on Tuesday morning in a deep, cutaway section of the Ross River.
The deaths have triggered an outpouring of grief from around the country.
Family member Joseph Austral has established a fundraiser to help take the boys' bodies to Darwin.
"This morning was a morning my close family will never forget. After two precious boys went missing for hours only to wake and hear they will never return home," he wrote on the GoFundMe page.
"The boys are from Darwin and I would love to be able to help bring them home with the support and love of our community so we can bring the boys home without putting the family behind."
In just 24 hours, 181 people have donated to the page, raising $6714 of a $9000 goal.
"I can not even begin to imagine the pain you mob are going through right now. Sending love, light and strength during this trying time," Danielle Seden wrote.
Belinda Kamp said: "The whole country is thinking of you and your family. Pls stay strong for your other children."
The tragedy came after more than 100 police, SES workers and residents took part in a frantic 12-hour search in the suburb of Cranbrook in a bid to find them.
The bodies of two young boys were found in the Ross River in Cranbrook, Townsville. Source: AAP
The boys' relatives called police at about 6.30pm on Monday after they didn't come home.
Their devastated mother, Leeann Eatts, took to Facebook during the search, writing: "If you live near a park or driving past it take time to have a look they will be cold hungry and tired now. Mum is missing you boys so so much."
After learning of their fate she described the pain as feeling "like someone ripped a hole out of me".
Police are continuing to talk to witnesses, before a report is prepared for the coroner.
SBS News will not show images or name the children due to cultural protocols.
