Marie Johnson of Moss Vale is asking for privacy as her sons, Joshua and Jordan Economos, recover at Westmead Children's Hospital.

However sister Sandra Johnson has thanked everybody who has offered assistance since the accident and hopes the community will support an appeal launched for the family this week.

"We are extremely thankful, when Marie saw Joshua under the car she thought she had lost him, so we are extremely thankful that they are going to come through," Ms Johnson said.

"It was a massive shock, I heard the helicopter come down, and I couldn't believe that it was my family that were the ones that were hurt.

"We are still in shock, working off adrenalin."

The boys and their mother, as well as niece Jemma Johnson, were struck by a car while using a pedestrian crossing at Sutton Forest McDonald's on February 16 shortly before 8pm.

Full story SHN Friday, February 22.