Family trying to see dying dad in Queensland face 'aggressive' abuse

The loved ones of a dying man in Brisbane have been subject to cruel abuse after Australians helped raise money for his children so they could say goodbye.

Mark Keans made national headlines this week when his family revealed the Queensland government would only allow one of his four children to travel from NSW to visit amid coronavirus border closures.

Mr Keans has terminal cancer and it is unlikely he will live past Christmas.

The Queensland government later granted his family an exemption, however they will have to pay for the mandatory quarantine, which was predicted to cost between $16,000 and $20,000.

After the news broke, $231,797 was raised through a GoFundMe for the Keans in just one day.

The family said they are extremely grateful for the support during this troubling time, but also revealed they and the fundraiser organiser, family friend Jamie O’Brien, have since been allegedly subjected to “aggressive” messages and abuse.

Mr Keans’ sister, who is the beneficiary of the fundraiser, said the excess money raised would only benefit his children in the future.

“In regards to the most recent smear campaign, I have honestly wanted to respond to this as I am so angry,” Tamara Langborne wrote on Friday.

“There is a lot of twisted and misinformation of truths within this to fit their own narrative.

“Im not sure where they have gotten the understanding that the money is for us, as we have stated and when complete can show that money will placed in trusts for the children's futures.”

Ms Langborne said it was “disheartening” that during this time where the family is preparing to say goodbye to Mr Keans, they are also being “slapped in the face with this”.

Mr O’Brien also addressed the abuse and salacious insinuations about Mr Keans’ family.

He started off by thanking the people who donated and said they were “overwhelmed” by the support.

However, Mr O’Brien admitted he has received a few messages which were “aggressive” and “abusive”, allegedly throwing around words like “greed” and “selfish”.

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“I have started this page to take the pressure off of Marks family so I’m more than happy to take on any questions people have,” Mr O’Brien said.

“However, I do not appreciate those who are suggesting the family are just doing this as a ‘money grab’.

“This could not be further from the truth. Marks family are still in shock at the amount of support they have received and they never expected such an amount to be donated.”

Mr O’Brien reiterated the money would be used to cover the costs of Mr Keans’ family crossing the border to visit him and the left over money would be for the four children and donated to other families in similar situations.

“This is such an amazing thing that has happened for a family in need and I would hate for such a beautiful result to be tarnished by negative comments,” Mr O’Brien said.

Yesterday, it was announced the Queensland Government would finalise an agreement with Mr Keans’ family to cross the border.

On Saturday, AAP reported an agreement is yet to be finalised with Queensland health authorities, meaning Mr Keans still does not know when he will see his children.

A final decision is still pending as negotiations continue over how the children, aged between seven and 13, will be allowed to visit their dad.

Mark's father, Bruce Langborne, said the family would be allowed supervised visits dressed in full PPE.

It means the children will not be allowed any physical contact with their father.

"He's just going to see these masked-up little people. He's not really going to be able to interact with them and they can't interact with him and that's not really what he wants," Mr Langborne said.

With AAP

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