After the tragic loss of their two sons in the space of just four years, Ralph and Kathy Kelly have spoken out over their constant battle of coming to terms with their harrowing deaths.
Airing on Sunday night’s 60 Minutes program, the distraught parents open up over the trauma caused following the deaths of their eldest son Thomas in 2012 and then his brother Stuart in 2016.
‘How do you ever get over losing two children for absolutely nothing?’ Kathy revealed to 60 Minute’s reporter Allison Langdon.
Ralph and Kathy Kelly (pictured) have opened up to 60 Minutes revealing their constant fight following the deaths of their two sons
In emotional footage, Kathy Kelly begs the question ‘How do you ever get over losing two children for absolutely nothing?’
Their son, Thomas Kelly, was killed in a one-punch attack while on a night out in Sydney’s Kings Cross, and after struggling to come to terms with his brother’s death, Stuart Kelly took his own life four years later.
Before his unthinkable death, Stuart had campaigned effortlessly against alcohol-fuelled violence.
‘I carry a deep scar that you cannot see. It’s always there, it never leaves,’ Stuart said in a speech calling for an increase in penalties for one-punch attack offenders.
Now the boy’s parents have been left to fight back in the name of not one, but both their sons.
‘I think, 100 per cent, that if Thomas had not been killed then Stuart would be here today, without a doubt.’
Following Thomas’ death, Stuart Kelly (centre) took his own life four years later after being deeply affected by the loss of his brother
Their son Thomas Kelly (pictured) was killed in a one-punch attack while on a night out in Sydney’s Kings Cross in 2012
The rugby league community, including Phil Gould (pictured) have taken a stand in support of Stuart and others who have contemplated taking their own lives
Ralph and Kathy do have support in the shape of the rugby league community who have taken a stand in support of Stuart and others who have contemplated taking their own lives.
‘We can save each one, save them all, that’s beautiful,’ former New South Wales coach Phil Gould said after giving his backing to the cause.
Ralph Kelly also reiterated the efforts they and others have made to prevent vulnerable individuals following in his son’s footsteps.
‘We just saw that voice getting back into the community and just saying to people you’re not alone if you’re suffering from this.
‘You’re not a burden on your family, understand you’re loved and you’re an important person in society.’
The episode airs on Channel Nine at 8.45pm on Sunday night.
Ralph Kelly (left) has spoken out to others who may find themselves in a vulnerable state, similar to his son Stuart (centre) before he took his own life