Sister of woman killed in Christmas Day quad bike crash says family ‘touched’ by amazing response

A 'beautiful' young woman[1] who died on Christmas Day after a tragic quad bike crash is to get the funeral 'she truly deserves' due to an emotional Go Fund Me appeal by her sister. Thousands of pounds flooded in to give 22-year-old Gracie Vater a 'fitting send-off' following the tragedy last week. Gracie was airlifted to hospital after the crash in Whitehouse Lane, Shipton Moyne, near Tetbury, on Saturday December 23 but died two days later.

Her family said it's believed that she fell from a quad bike that overturned. Her 33-year-old sister Aisha Vater, from Malmesbury in the Cotswolds set up a Go Fund Me page pleading for help towards the funeral saying that Gracie and her mum, Angela, was a single mother[2] who could not afford "a big send-off". But the family were stunned to see the GBP7,000 target quickly reached - and the total has climbed further to over GBP11K.

Aisha told Gloucestershire Live[4] that the family is grateful to all those who have donated already. The extra money raised will now be donated to Wiltshire Air Ambulance, whose staff battled to save Gracie's life in the moments after the heart-breaking crash. After her death on Christmas Day, Gracie's family described her as a "country girl with the biggest heart", adding that they had lost their "beautiful darling Gracie, a treasured and much loved daughter, sister, granddaughter and aunty".

Aisha's emotional appeal on the Go Fund Me page[5] followed and said: "Gracie was involved in an terrible road traffic accident on December 23 which has resulted in Grace losing her life in hospital at the age of just 22 on Christmas Day.

"We as a family are devastated and would love to give Grace the send of she deserves. Her mum Angela is a single parent, and although doesn't want to have to ask for donations she is not in a position to afford the big send off that Gracie so rightly deserves. "We ask that instead of flowers and sympathy cards that you can spare even the smallest of donations that can help ease the pressure on Grace's mum during this horrific time.

Please accept our gratitude and if you can't donate then please help spread the word by sharing this fund me." Since reaching the total within days, Aisha said: "I would like to say thank you so much to those in the community where we live and further afield for the donations. Nobody for one moment expected this to happen to Gracie.

Get breaking news on our BirminghamLive WhatsApp[6] "People have been generous, and especially so with the time of year because of Christmas. People we do not even know have donated.

The donations have really touched our hearts. I know it has given Gracie's mum, Angela, peace of mind, knowing Gracie will have have the send off she truly deserves. "We set a target which has been reached.

Any funds which are left will go to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance Service, as they are the ones who got Gracie to hospital." Two men were arrested in connection with Gracie's death by Gloucestershire Police. The force spokesperson said two men, aged 29 and 30, who are both from the Cotswolds, have been bailed with conditions to return to police in February, pending further enquiries.

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Donations can still be made on Gracie's Go Fund Me page here[8].

References

1. ^ woman (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
2. ^ single mother (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
3. ^ I found quirky railway village cafe with community spirit like no other (www.birminghammail.co.uk)
4. ^ Gloucestershire Live (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
5. ^ Go Fund Me page (www.gofundme.com)
6. ^ BirminghamLive WhatsApp (chat.whatsapp.com)
7. ^ Is the BBC licence fee good value for money? (xd.wayin.com)
8. ^ Gracie's Go Fund Me page here (www.gofundme.com)