Two Blackpool brothers have had to take on the role of caregivers for their younger siblings after their family was torn apart by the tragic deaths of both their parents.

Eighteen-year-old Kiel Reeve and his 23-year-old brother are now responsible for looking after, clothing, feeding, and raising their three younger siblings – aged three, nine, and 11 – following the heartbreaking deaths of both their parents, whom Kiel described as ‘soulmates’.

The siblings’ – whom Kiel did not want to name to protect their privacy at a tough time for the family – lives were initially rocked by the death of dad Richard Reeve in 2023 following a sudden heart attack at home. Tragedy struck again this month, when their mother Lisa Parkin contracted pneumonia and died on September 15, leaving the children orphaned.

“Me and my older brother, we both feel numb because we haven’t cried as much [as the younger kids], but we know that grief comes in waves,” said Kiel. “At the moment, it’s like our bodies are telling us that we need to be there and be strong for the kids.

“My mum and dad were the best things that ever happened,” added Kiel, who is working double shifts as a caravan cleaner at Marton Mere to earn extra money to support his family while his older brother works on the grounds. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have the life that we have now. They did everything they could to make sure we got everything that we ever wanted.

“All we can do now is just be there for each other as a family and help each other when we need it.

Richard, who used to work at the Dutton Arms in Blackpool, was just 45 when he died in June 2023, with Kiel describing his late father as ‘funny all the time, even if he never meant to be’. Just two weeks ago, their mother Lisa also passed away following her third and final battle with pneumonia, leaving the children heartbroken and alone.

“When we saw her in the hospital and the morgue after she passed, it looked like she was smiling,” said Kiel. “Like she was happy to go and that she wasn’t suffering or in pain anymore. It’s like she was happy knowing how well she has done in life to raise us.”

The loss of both parents has not only left Kiel’s family emotionally devastated, but it has also placed a significant financial burden on the older siblings, with Kiel and his brother working hard to do all they can in extremely tough circumstances. A GoFundMe has been launched to help the family pay for the funeral costs, but so far only £95 of the £4000 target has been raised.

“The GoFundMe will help with funeral costs, clothes for the funeral and other stuff that will help us move forward,” said Kiel, who added that ‘every penny’ will help give his mum the best send-off. “We’ve got my little sister’s birthday coming up as well, so we’re going to buy a big gift for her and say it was from my mum.

“It’s tough at the moment, but the main thing is we look after the kids and to keep them happy and looked-after.”