Tributes to ‘loving’ gran killed in crash
‘She was loved by so many people’ – daughter
AFUNDRAISER has been set up to help pay for the funeral of a ‘loving nanna, mum and friend to many’ who was killed while crossing the road in Rochdale.
Brenda Rostron, 63, from Rochdale, tragically died in a collision involving a HGV on Spotland
Road on Thursday. A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving.
He has since been released under investigation, Greater Manchester Police says.
In the wake of Brenda’s death, a Gofundme page has been launched to help her heartbroken family with funeral costs. The page has been set up by Hannah Baker, 43, a close friend of Brenda’s daughter Laura Herbert.
On the fundraiser, which has a target of £3,000, Hannah wrote: “As many of you may have heard and seen on the news and through social media, my beautiful friend lost her mother on Thursday 1st February in what I can only describe as heartbreaking and awful circumstances.
“Social media can be sometimes quite cruel and some people may not realise this. I thought I would set up this page to also show that social media can also be a place where people can help and show their support in a time of need.
“I am writing this and hopefully hoping it takes the burden off my friend and her family with funeral costs any other funds raised will also help the immediate family not have to worry about returning to work too soon. Thank you so very much to any donation or share. Fly high Brenda.”
In a tribute issued through Greater Manchester Police, Brenda’s family spoke of the ‘special memories’ they will treasure of her.
They also issued a heartfelt plea to social media users after images from the collision were shared online - with the family urging people to take the photographs down.
In the statement, Brenda’s family said: “Brenda is our mum, she is a loving nanna to our children and a friend to many. We have had our hearts broken at the news of her passing.
“No one should lose someone they love in this way, and all we want now is to be able to grieve as a family in peace and remember her and all the special memories we have of her. Seeing that people have been taking pictures and circulating them online has hurt us more than we can put into words and it has caused our family indescribable pain.
“We ask that people please take these down and do not share any more photos from the incident. We just need to be together as a family now and grieve in peace.”
Laura has thanked everyone who has donated to
the fundraiser and for the support her family has received.
In an emotional tribute to her mum Brenda, she said: “It’s hard to know what to say. We are just broken as a family. We just can’t wrap our heads around what has happened, she was just scootering into town to pick up some shopping which she’d do every couple of days and now she’s gone.
“She lived for her family, she worked so hard raising Ryan and I solo and did an amazing job.
“She was loved by so many people, just reading all the lovely comments about her on Facebook has been a real comfort.
“As a family we really appreciate everyone’s support and want to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated which will help give mum the send off she deserves.”
Hannah, who met Laura at a playgroup their children attend, said she set up the fundraiser to help her friend and her family.
Hannah, who lives in Rochdale, said: “It’s just such a shock and such a
tragic thing with Brenda only being 63 her family had never spoken about funerals and didn’t have anything put aside.
“I’m doing this to help out Laura and her family. I didn’t know what to do and I’ve seen these fundraisers before and I thought it might take a bit of the burden off them.”
Hannah said Brenda was well known in the community and used to work at Mecca Bingo in Rochdale before she retired.
“A lot of people were fond of her. She loved her grandchildren and Laura and her brother,” she said.
GMP is continuing to investigate the collision.
Anyone with information about the incident is being urged to come forward.
Police Constable Philip Drummond, of GMP’S Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said “This has come as devastating news to Brenda’s family and the images circulating online have caused distress and pain to a grieving family. I want to echo their words and ask that any images or footage of this incident be taken down.
“We are still appealing for information about this incident and you should pass any information or footage directly to the police.
“You can make a report by calling 0161 856 4741 quoting log 1373 of February 1, 2024. Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
To donate to the Gofundme page.
“We are just broken as a family. We just can’t wrap our heads around what has happened.”