A heartbroken mum has embarked on a 700 miles in memory of her daughter and baby grandson, after they were tragically killed by a speeding drunk driver. 

Alison Warner is currently cycling from France all the way to Coundon, County Durham, in memory of daughter Karlene Warner and grandson Zackary Blades. 

She is aiming to raise enough money for a dedicated room her local hospital, Darlington Memorial, so families going through devastating losses have a quiet, private place to wash, cook, and nap whilst saying goodbye to their loved ones. 

In the early hours of May 31, Shalorna Warner had taken her sleeping son Zackary with her to pick up her sister Karlene from Newcastle Airport when their vehicle was rammed into by Darryl Anderson.

(Image: FAMILY)

In court, it was revealed that he was drunk and had taken photographs of himself driving over 140mph when his Audi slammed Shalorna's Peugeot, causing Zackary to be thrown 164ft from the car.

In the crash, almost every bone in Karlene's body had been broken, and she died instantly. 

Speaking to The Northern Echo from a hotel room in Flers, France after a long day on the bike, Alison said: "After my daughter and grandson were killed, they were taken to the RVI in Newcastle, and we were given a 'Haven Room' to use whilst there.

"We visited them for five days, and wanted to stay with them every day, so the whole family used the Haven Room. It let us stay together with them. 

Alison WarnerAlison Warner (Image: Family)

"I feel like every hospital should have a room like it, but they are not very common. We need about £50,000 to get a similar facility at our local hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital."

A summer of fundraising in their memory has meant that the family are about half way to that goal, and Alison is hoping that her relentless bike ride will tip them closer to the goal. 

On the road in France, Alison has been cycling from around 8.30am until late in the afternoon with support from husband Nigel, covering about 70 miles a day.

Most nights have been spent sleeping in French laybys, in a converted van, with the occasional hotel room, with much a much needed hot shower and creature comforts, paid for by friends. 

On October 25, the family will be holding a party for Karlene's 31st birthday, with a pink carpet, a disco, and a three course meal. All proceeds will go towards the Together room. 

Alison said: "Doing things like this, this fundraising, helps me to feel like they are still here, and I am keeping their memories alive and their names on people's lips.

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"I have to think about how he [Darryl Anderson] ruined our lives, but keeping their memories alive, and thinking about having a Zackary and Karlene Together room, keeps me going every day."

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 over 77,000 signatures and has been backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen who has promised to do everything possible to support the campaign.