A schoolgirl who lost her mum, dad, and two sisters in a car crash this summer has returned to school, with over £400,000 raised to support her.
Poppie Morgan-Roller, 11, was orphaned after her parents’ car burst into flames following a head-on collision with a motorcycle near Wakefield, killing six people including her two younger sisters.
Shane Roller, Shannen Morgan and two of their daughters Lillie and Rubie had been out for a walk on the day of the crash, and Poppie was playing at a friend’s house after deciding not to join them.
There was an outpouring of support for her after news of the horrific accident was published, with hundreds of thousands of pounds raised in a GoFundMe appeal.
Family friend Paul Hepple, who set up the page, wrote in an update yesterday to mark 12 weeks since the tragedy: ‘Poppie is doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances.
‘She has bravely returned to school and, although she was nervous at first, she is slowly settling in. She is receiving therapy at school, which is helping her navigate her loss.
‘Poppie and her Aunt, Faye, have also received invaluable support from Brake, the road safety charity, who have been instrumental in helping them manage the legal side of things and providing guidance.’
Paul said that the £408,207 raised had not yet been touched but would be transferred to Poppie’s aunt Faye to be stored in a trust fund.
He was hosting Poppie and her aunt on the afternoon of the crash, and they were just sitting down for Sunday dinner when they received an emergency phone call.
Mr Hepple previously told the media: ‘Her mum actually contacted us and asked if we could watch Poppie because she didn’t want to go on the walk that they went on.
‘So we were watching Poppie as she’s best mates with our daughter. She was with our daughter having fun. And on their way home, that’s when the accident happened.
‘We were having Sunday dinner as a family, and Poppie’s auntie was with us and obviously, Poppie was as well. And then she got a phone call and she ended up leaving really quickly to go and see what happened.’
He described Poppie as a ‘lovely’ girl whose family was well-liked in the local community. ‘They were always chatty and turned up to parties all the time,’ he added.
Her aunt Faye will be Poppie’s legal guardian, he said.
Poppie’s grandfather Graham Roller paid tribute to his son, his partner and granddaughters, saying they were an ‘amazing family’.
He wrote: ‘On Sunday we lost part of our family, Shane Roller, Shannen Morgan and two beautiful little granddaughters in a terrible car accident.
‘Shane wasn’t just a son but an amazing father and he had a heart of gold. Shannen our daughter-in-law was funny and was also an amazing mum and they thought the world of their little family.
‘They will be very much missed by everyone that knew them, but they will always be in our hearts and thoughts forever.
‘Fly high and stay safe together. Love you more than words can say.’
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