WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this story contains images of a person who is deceased.
A fundraiser for Troy Dargan's family reached more than $40,000 in less than 24 hours after he was killed in a motorcycle crash on Christmas eve.
The Canberra Raiders off-season recruit was holidaying with family in the Cook Islands when tragedy struck.
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Following his sudden passing, Dargan's family set up a GoFundMe page, with a goal of raising $25,000 to ease the financial costs of bringing his body home to Australia.
"On behalf of my beloved sister in law Wendy and her husband Troy Dargan it pains me so deeply to write this," organiser Rachael Tuara wrote.
"TJ has tragically passed away from a motorcycle accident while holidaying with his parents and siblings in the Cook Islands.
"Our family is trying to bring his body back to Sydney, Australia.
"With him passing just before Christmas and the suddenness of it all, I am trying to help ease the financial costs in any way that I can and kindly ask people to donate to this cause.
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"Due to the timing of it all, the expenses are far greater than we could've imagined.
"He was the most loving, caring son, brother, cousin, nephew and friend you could have asked for. TJ never gave up even when it got hard. He pushed himself to all limits and that's what made him so incredible.
"There are no words that will ever be able to express how deeply hurt we all are as a family and it is truly one of the most devastating things anyone of us could go through right now.
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"Any help in this time of need would be greatly appreciated. Please help us bring TJ home. Any excess funds will go to his funeral costs. Forever in our hearts. We love you Troy 'TJ' Dargan."
Dargan played two Test matches for the Cook Islands, and also had Indigenous Australian heritage.
The half was a Parramatta Eels junior and played two NRL games for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
He also spent time with the Brisbane Broncos and in the lower grades of Manly's system.
He signed a two-year development contract with the Raiders last month.
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