Family and friends make roads safer
MONEY RAISED IN EMMA’S MEMORY TO HELP CHARITY
TRAGIC Emma Guilbert’s legacy will help make roads safer for other road users.
Saturday marked one year since the Newcastle University student suffered fatal injuries when she was struck by a car near her home, in Fenham, Newcastle.
Emma, from the Oldham area, passed away in hospital three days after the incident, which happened on Wingrove Road.
In the months following the tragedy, her heartbroken university friends began fundraising in her memory.
After launching a GoFundMe page and taking part in the Color Obstacle Rush at Newcastle Racecourse, the grief-stricken students raised more than £2,500 in Emma’s name.
The money has now been donated to the road safety charity, Brake.
The charity’s director of campaigns has thanked Emma’s friends and told how the money will help the fight to make Britain’s roads safer.
Joshua Harris said: “Every death or serious injury on the road is a preventable tragedy which has a devastating impact on individuals, families, friends and often whole communities.
“We’re humbled by the support of those who have been affected by road crashes and who devote their energies to fundraising or campaigning for Brake. “The money raised by the family and friends of Emma Guilbert, who was tragically killed on the road last year, will help us campaign for safer roads for everyone and donations such as this are absolutely vital in helping us achieve our goal of a world where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Emma’s family and friends for their support.”
On Friday, November 23, 2018, Emma had spent the day shopping for an outfit for a party at the weekend before leaving her digs to pick up some food. But the 18-year-old never made it back home. She was struck by a car near the junction between Wingrove Road North and Fenham Hall Drive, at around 4.30pm.
Emma suffered catastrophic injuries and she was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, but nothing could be done to save her life.
In the weeks and months that followed, Emma’s friends struggled to get their heads round their loss.
Abbie McGuigan, from Consett, became close friends with Emma after meeting her at a lecture.
The 20-year-old, who set-up the GoFundMe page, said she was determined to make sure something positive would come from Emma’s death.
She said: “We looked at all sorts of charities, but we chose Brake because we just don’t want anyone else to go through what Emma did.”
A 31-year-old man was arrested in connection with Emma’s death and remains under investigation.
The money raised by the family and friends of Emma Guilbert ... will help us campaign for safer roads for everyone