Yate community raises thousands in memory of lollipop lady hit by car
Rebecca Ashmead died after being hit last month
A fundraiser to support the family of a lollipop lady who was hit by a car on 29 March has raised over £8000.
The 49-year-old Rebecca Ashmead, known locally as Bex, was hit on Kennedy Way in Yate, South Gloucestershire.
Since being set up on 1 April, support has poured in from nearly 500 people.
Sean Suleman, who organised the fundraiser, has been blown away by the “overwhelming” number of donations.
“We weren’t expecting a total of this amount," he said.
“We just hope that the money is spent in a way they can all pay tribute to a wonderful person."
Suleman set up the JustGiving page after discovering Bex was a volunteer with his homelessness charity Blonde Angel Street Team and that “this could happen to anyone”.
“I realised she was a lollipop lady at a school I used to go to, my mum used to teach her… It's quite close to home," he said.
“It’s quite a tight knit community, and I think me as well as other people just felt that we needed to do something.”
Many of the donations Suleman has received have come with messages attached.
There’s one thing that stood out to him above the others.
“The biggest thing for me is the people have said they're going to miss her smiling face… her happiness… It’s quite moving," he said.
Having spoken to the family, Suleman says the money will be spent completing Bex’s bucket list in her name.
He also believes that there will be further celebrations of her life.
“A singer got hold of me and obviously knew Becky and her love for music," he said.
“So, I'm pretty sure they'll be organizing something of that nature involving some of the bands that she used to go and watch.”
Bex’s family have also paid tribute, calling her a “devoted mum to her four children” and saying that “she was always busy helping people and being at the centre of fun.”
Three people have been arrested by Avon and Sommerset Police in connection with her death.
A man in his 30s has been released on police bail, whilst two others have been released without charge.
If you wish to donate the fundraiser in Bex’s name, you can find it here.