Lucky escape
Fundraiser launched after driver smashes car into Ryhope home
A GoFundMe page has been set up for a family from Ryhope after a driver, who had taken a car without permission, smashed into their living room and their family dog ran off in shock.
Keerey Ayre, 31 says she ‘feels extremely lucky’ after a car came flying through her family’s front garden and living room as her children played in a hot tub in their back garden.
Police were called to the family home in Ryhope on Saturday, August 15, around 4.45pm after a Nissan Micra smashed into their front garden and living room.
Luckily, her two children were in a hot tub in the back garden during the incident while Keerey’s 15-year-old stepson was out with friends at the time.
The family dog, Bella was in the living room when the car crashed into the house and ran off in shock before she was later rescued from Ryhope cliffs by the Sunderland coastguard team.
The mum-of-three said that her children would ‘usually’ play in the front garden but decided to set up the hot tub in the back garden as they prepared for a small family party.
Keerey, who married her now-husband Paul four
weeks ago said: “We usually play in the front garden because that’s where we get the sun but the kids’ Nana and Grandad had brought round a hot tub so we decided to set it up round the back.
"I sent Paul to get some
snacks for a little party and I just heard a loud explosion type noise and there was soot everywhere, that’s when I realised a car had burst through the living room.”
Police have arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion
of aggravated vehicle taking after driving the car, which belonged to a family member, without permission.
A fundraiser has now been launched to help cover the costs of the contents that need replacing inside their home. Keerey said: “We are overwhelmed by the support of everyone, people who I didn’t even know were driving around looking for Bella and shovelling glass and bricks.
"The community in Ryhope have come together and it makes me emotional thinking about all the support we’ve had – I’m just pleased we’re all OK as things could have been a lot worse.”
You can donate at uk.gofundme.com/f/support-tomake-a-house-a-home-again?