text: The community has rallied around the family ripped apart by the tragic murder of four-year-old Alistair Mach and his grandmother by the jilted lover of the little boy's grandfather. A fundraising page set up by friends of the family to help pay funeral expenses has raised almost $50,000 in less than a week - more than twice what was expected. Mai Mach, 60, was stabbed 23 times with garden shears in the backyard of her Albanvale home in western Melbourne last Tuesday. Hours earlier her grandson, Alistair, 4, was stabbed 18 times as he slept in his bed. Chinese tourist Cai Xia Liao, 45, has been charged with their murder. A fundraising page to set up to support the families of Mai Mach, 60, and her grandson Alistair Mach, four, has raised almost $50,000 in less than a week . A MyCause page, set up by family friend Diana Teoh with the goal of raising $20,000 to assist the distraught family with funeral funds, has raised $47,226 so far and continues to gain support. 'It will be used for the funeral and Alastair's parents will direct the remainder of the funds to a good cause,' Ms Teoh told Daily Mail Australia. Ms Teoh added that she did not expect the page to receive so much support and thanked 'all of the kind people' who donated. More than 280 people have donated to the page, with many leaving messages of support. 'Mai will be sadly missed by all at AWTA. She was a model employee for well over 20 years and in that time became a good mate to many of her fellow workers. Rest in peace,' Kelvin Stone wrote. It was set up by family friend Diana Teoh who said the money 'will be used for the funeral and Alastair's parents will direct the remainder of the funds to a good cause' Mai (right) was stabbed 23 times with garden shears in the backyard of her Melbourne home last Tuesday, while her grandson Alistair (left) suffered 18 stab wounds hours beforehand . 'We are so sorry to hear this tragedy. But we believe our little 'zai zai' and his grandmother are resting in heaven overlooking Amy and Andrew now. So please be strong… Our hearts are with you. God Bless you!!' Maggie Liu posted on the page. Liao, wearing a black tracksuit, cried loudly and became increasingly hysterical throughout a short hearing on Thursday before Chief Magistrate Peter Lauritsen, who remanded her until July 22. She did not meet the eyes of more than a dozen of her victim's family members in the court room. Andrew Kwong and Amy Mach, parents of 4 year old murdered boy Alistair Mach are pictured after appearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Thursday . Chinese national Cai Liao has been charged with murdering the Alistair and his grandmother Mai . Her lawyer, Sarah Pratt, said this was the first time Liao, who is in Australia on a tourist visa, had been in custody. Supported by Alistair's father Andrew Kwong, his mother Amy Mach held a toy and tiny photo of their only child during the hearing. A dozen other relatives watched Liao from the back of the court. After Liao was charged with murder late on Wednesday night, Detective Leading Senior Constable Tony Harwood told an out-of-sessions court hearing Liao allegedly bound and gagged former lover Brian Mach at his Albanvale home before stabbing Alistair in the head and neck while he lay in bed. A post mortem revealed Alistair, who was regularly babysat by his grandparents, was stabbed 18 times and had tried to defend himself from the attack. Chinese national Cai Xia Liao, 45, is accused of murdering the pair at the Albanvale home, west of Melbourne . Liao is accused of waiting at the property for 10 hours until Alistair's grandmother Mai Mach, 60, got home from work . The mother of 4 year old murdered boy Alistair Mach, Amy Mach (centre) is escorted by supporters after a brief hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates Court . It's alleged Liao waited up to 10 hours for Mrs Mach to return home before stabbing her 23 times in the backyard, Det Leading Snr Const Harwood said. The court heard Mr Mach had recently ended a three-year relationship with the accused killer. Alistair, who was described as 'bubbly' by family friends, was an only child. Police allege Liao had been in a relationship with Mr Mach, 61, for about three years, but he had recently called it off . Alistair was killed while sleeping, before the accused allegedly turned on Ms Mach in the backyard (pictured) Mr Mach was apparently bound and gagged while Liao turned on the other members of his family . Friends are seen here delivering flowers to the house in Melbourne after the brutal attack . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
target: Alistair Mach, four, and his grandmother Mai Mach, 60, were murdered .
  Chinese tourist Cai Xia Liao, 45, is charged with their murder .
  Fundraising page for victims' family has raised almost $50,000 in one week .
  The funds will help pay for their funeral and be directed to a 'good cause'
  Liao had allegedly been having an affair with boy's grandfather, Brian Mach .
  Police allege Liao stabbed Alistair in his sleep while Mr Mach was gagged .