Orphaned girl has 'help for years' as A61 crash GoFundMe raises £300K
Shane Roller, 33, his partner Shannen Morgan, 30, and their daughters Rubie and Lillie Morgan-Roller, were killed in the A61 crash between Wakefield and Barnsley.
An extraordinary response by the public that has seen more than £300,000 raised for an 11-year-old girl whose entire family were killed in a crash involving a car and a motorbike means she will have financial support for "the next few years", the organiser of an online fundraiser has told Yahoo News.
Shane Roller, 33, his partner Shannen Morgan, 30, and their daughters Rubie and Lillie Morgan-Roller, aged nine and four, died in the incident on the A61 between Wakefield and Barnsley on Sunday afternoon.
The couple's eldest daughter, Poppie, 11, was playing at a friend's house at the time of the crash after deciding not to go for a walk with them.
It was as they were returning from their walk that the family's car was involved in a collision with the motorbike.
The motorcylist and passenger who also died in the crash were named by police on Tuesday as Christopher Barton, 56, and Janine Barton, 48, who had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.
Paying tribute to the couple, they were described by their son as “a loving, caring mum and dad who always put me before everything else.”
Watch: Police confirm six deaths in ‘tragic’ Wakefield crash
The Roller family were travelling in a Ford Focus which was understood to have burst into flames following the collision with the motorbike, which happened at 3.54pm.
Poppie had been playing at the home of her best friend, whose stepfather Paul Hepple, 37, agreed to look after her after getting a phone call from her mother Shannen saying she didn't want to go for a walk.
Hepple, a software developer who lives in the same area of Barnsley as the family, has set up a GoFundMe page for Poppie, which had raised more than £300,000 by Tuesday evening.
Asked if he expected so many donations to come in, Hepple told Yahoo News UK: “Not at all. Obviously, this is such a tragic, tragic event that's happened, and I think it's just a bunch of people with hearts.
“Initially, I just set out to get a little bit of money for Poppie to support her, but now it's gone a bit crazy. Now, there's enough to help you through, you know, the next few years at least.”
Hepple, a father of four, said they were settling down for Sunday dinner when Poppie's aunt, who was also there, received an emergency phone call.
Hepple's girlfriend has known Shannen since they were children, he said, and they would see the family at children's birthday parties.
“We’ve had family events and gatherings together quite a bit for a long time," he said.
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“They’re really nice people, like the majority of people, really kind, they would always turn up to parties.
“We have kids too, so there were a lot of kids' events and parties that they would all get together and enjoy.”
He described them as a “really loving family", adding: "They loved each other and all their friends.”
In an update on the GoFundMe page on Tuesday morning, Hepple said Poppie is best friends with his stepdaughter and has been staying with them since the crash. He said "every penny" of donations will go directly to Poppie's aunt, her new guardian.
On the GoFundMe page, Support For Poppie, Hepple has outlined that donations will be used to cover Poppie's living expenses, education, emotional support and future care.
He intended to provide regular updates on the fundraising page, saying: "They’re obviously interested in Poppie’s well-being, that’s the reason they donated in the first place.
"So knowing what the money is being spent on – a nice day out for Poppie or something – I’m sure the people would like to know that.”
On the GoFundMe page, Hepple wrote: "At just 11 years old, Poppie has lost her whole world in an instant.
"Despite her unimaginable loss, she shows incredible strength every day. She loves football and playing outdoors. Poppie is also a huge Taylor Swift fan and finds comfort in her music."
Responding to the tragedy, Athersley North Primary School issued a statement saying: “It is with the deepest sadness that we address the heart-breaking news about Rubie, Lillie and their parents.
“So many people in our communities will feel this devastating, tragic loss. Rubie was a kind, happy, and caring girl with a lovely personality.
“She always worked really hard and was well-liked by her friends.She was a fantastic role model for her peers and aspired to be a teacher.
“Lillie was a bright, bubbly and happy little girl who was a popular member of her class. She was creative and very determined. Just like her big sister, she too aspired to be a teacher.
“Both girls were an asset to the school and a delight to teach. They were a much-loved part of the school community, and their loss is a devastating blow to everyone who knew them.
“The girls were a credit to their parents, who were always incredibly supportive and who will also be greatly missed. Our heartfelt thoughts are with their sister and her family at this incredibly sad time.”
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The £5k donors making 'enormous difference' to girl orphaned in crash More than £193,000 has already been raised to provide for Poppie's education, living expenses, counselling and future care. Among the donators, which now number more than 11,000, a number of incredibly generous people have donated in excess of £1,000. Lady Weidenfeld has donated £1,000, while John Simister has donated £1,500. There is an anonymous donation for £2,000 and one anonymous donor has given £5,000. [Yorkshire Live]
Neighbour pays tribute A grief-stricken neighbour has shared her last conversation with a family before they were tragically killed in a horrific crash. Megan Plummer wrote: "Shane, Shannen, Rubie and Lillie. Words can't even begin to describe the absolute devastation of what's happened. To be talking to you outside and within an hour you're taken away is just madness and my heart actually hurts, you guys were the kindest family and it has been a pleasure having you as neighbours." [Yorkshire Live]
Plans for future of girl, 11, left orphaned after horror car crash revealed Family friend Paul Hepple said Poppie has been staying with his family after the tragedy as she is best friends with his stepdaughter. However, he revealed she will soon be living with her “loving and capable” aunt, who will become her new guardian. Mr Hepple also disclosed that the donations to the fundraiser will be put towards Poppie’s well-being, including her living expenses, education and any counselling. He added that some funds might be used for the funeral expenses for the 11-year-old’s family. [Independent]
