The family of a young mother who died in a car crash on the A30 near Honiton have spoken of their grief and thanked the community for the “overwhelming” support they received.
Caitlin Saunders, 28, was travelling from Milton Keynes to Devon with her 11-month-old daughter Hallie when their car was involved in a single-vehicle collision on August 8. Caitlin, who was a front seat passenger, died at the scene. Her “beautiful” baby daughter Hallie survived.
After the crash, Caitlin’s family set up a fundraiser to cover funeral costs and create a fund for Hallie. The fundraiser has raised more than £11,000, with donors paying their respects and leaving kind messages for Caitlin and her family.
Karen Saunders, Caitlin’s aunt, told DevonLive the response had been “absolutely amazing and very humbling”. She said: “We feel very, very blessed that we had her in our lives and also that she touched so many other people’s lives as well. “She was a very special young lady.”
Caitlin’s funeral will be held on Thursday, September 3, celebrating the life of “beautiful” Caitlin “who was taken too soon”. Karen described Caitlin as a hard worker who was “known and loved by so many people”. She added that Caitlin moved between childcare and hospitality jobs, but “childcare was always her dream”.
Karen said: “Caitlin had just come back to work after maternity leave and applied for a job at a nursery. She had only been there a month when she was offered a promotion. It just makes you think about the amazing impact she left on others. It’s a testament to her. She was a lovely young lady.”
In Caitlin’s honour, her colleagues at the nursery have made a bench in her memory. They will also close the nursery for the afternoon so they can attend her funeral.
The family’s fundraiser is now focused on providing financial security for Hallie as she grows up. In the appeal, the family said: “Being a mum was all Caits ever wanted. Hallie was her world, and she was so incredibly proud to be her mummy.” They added they wanted Hallie to always know “just how incredibly loved her mummy was”.
Karen said: “Caitlin’s life was heartbreakingly short, but the love she gave and the memories she created will stay with us forever.”
Family Mourns ‘Very Special’ Mum, 28, After A30 Crash