A heartbroken County Durham family has mourned the loss of their "beautiful" 8-month-old son and grandson and his aunt who died in a horror A1(M) crash at an event celebrating what would have been his first birthday.
September 12 would have been the first birthday of Zackary Blades. But, instead of the family cutting cake and opening presents they instead spent the weekend fundraising after he, alongside his aunt Karlene Warner, was killed in a horrific crash on the A1(M) earlier this year.
In an emotional fundraising day at Whitworth Park Academy in Spennymoor today (September 14), mum Shalorna said the hope of bringing a family room to Darlington Memorial Hospital has "kept her busy" in what has been a difficult time for her family.
On the way home south to County Durham, Darryl Anderson, 38, crashed into the back of them while also driving from the airport back to Yorkshire.
In the back seat was Shalorna’s baby, Zackary who was flung from the car and sadly lost his life. Karlene also tragically died at the scene. She left behind her daughter named Everly.
An investigation later found Mr Anderson was driving at 141mph moments before the crash taking a picture of his speedo on WhatsApp, while being almost three times the drink-drive limit.
He was jailed for 17 years at Durham Crown Court on July 9.
Now, the family have held their first fundraiser fun day event today (September 14) following the sentencing at Whitworth Park Academy in Spennymoor.
Food stalls, raffles, and even birds of prey were a part of the fun as dozens came out despite windy weather to support the family and donate to their cause.
Through a wide range of efforts, the family are hoping to raise upwards of £70,000 to build what they have called a 'Together Room' at Darlington Memorial Hospital - allowing families to be together during times of crisis and grief.
"Karlene was such a protective big sister and also an amazing mum. One positive is I know that Karlene will be taking good care of Zackary - I've always said that.
"This is why we have called our charity Together - because they are together. That's the one positive thing to take from this."
She added: "It's hard being here today. I love seeing kids and being a mam but I always think that should have been my son."
Explaining where the idea for the room came from, Shalorna's sister Lareesa, 28, spoke of the time they spent at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where a similar facility was used by her family following the crash.
For her, the fun day day is a positive one but is still very emotionally charged.
She said: "We want to set up a room like that in Darlington Memorial Hospital. Every penny raised today will go towards that. We held it today because this week it would have been Zack's first birthday on September 12.
"It feels good to see how many people have come out to support us. But, when you take a step back and think about why we are really here it hits home.
Also at the fundraiser and speaking to attendees were Karlene's parents who are also Zackary’s grandparents, Nigel and Alison Warner.
The couple live in France but are here in County Durham working as a family on their mission to deliver the 'Together' room.
On October 8, 59-year-old Alison will take on a bike ride dubbed 'Granny on a bike' from southern France all the way back to Darlington as part of an effort to raise funds for the cause.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Alison explained that the loss of Karlene and Zackary means they have a "missing piece of their family puzzle."
"This week has been the hardest week of my life since the incident," she said. "We had the funeral, court case, and sentencing.
"But, it never felt real until we came back to the UK last Friday (September 6). Karlene would always be so excited to see me. But, the reality is that she isn't here. They both aren't here."
Alison's husband Nigel echoed her words, paying tribute to his "kind" daughter Karlene "who would speak to anyone".
"I am proud to be her father," he said. "And then there's baby Zack. He was always smiling, and laughing. He could have grown up and been somebody and done something with his life.
"He was always happy and was a mam's boy, stuck to her hip like a little monkey. The last time I saw him that's where he was - sucking on his dummy and smiling.
"Zackary was such a wonderful child."
Alongside their fundraising, the family also set up a petition in hopes of introducing a mandatory lifelong driving ban for deaths caused by dangerous driving.
The petition is now close to 76,000 signatures and has been backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen who has promised to do everything possible to support the campaign and raise the issue nationally.
The PCC herself has campaigned rigorously for tougher action on drink and drug driving, recently speaking at a national conference by the British Medical Association (BMA) to urgently lower the drink-drive limit.
Comissioner Allen said in July: Commissioner Allen said: "Drink or drug driving is a selfish and inexcusable act.
"It is vital our justice system sufficiently punishes those who recklessly gamble with people's lives and cause these devastating tragedies to prevent them from harming other innocent people in the future.
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"Ms Warner has suffered the most unimaginable grief and loss. I cannot put into words how courageous and inspirational she is to take this pain and apply it positively to secure vital changes that will prevent others from enduring the same heartache.
"I will be fully supporting her efforts to highlight this issue at the highest level of government. Drug and drink driving are crimes against us all and together we must stand strong and act to avoid further unnecessary deaths."
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