Fundraiser launched for 'exceptional' Sacha Holmes who died in tragic Thorner crash

Sacha Holmes and her friend Victoria 'Tori' Wilson, both 30, died after their car hit a tree on Carr Lane in the early hours of Thursday October 29.

Police believe the crash happened at 1am but the alarm was not raised until 7.30am, when paramedics pronounced the two women dead at the scene.

A fundraiser has now been set up by Cora Gordon, from Whinmoor, to help raise money for a memorial bench and plaque for Sacha.

It will be placed in Newmillerdam Country Park, where she often went with her dog Reggie.

The GoFundMe page pays tribute to the young woman.

It reads: "The suddenness of this accident has hit her partner, family and friends hard, and due to current circumstances many people will be unable to attend her funeral making it even more devastating.

"For this reason, a memorial bench and plaque will be created and put in her favourite dog walking spot, Newmillerdam Country Park, where Sacha often went with her beloved Reggie.

"Everyone will have a space to make peace and cherish the memories we have shared with her, whilst also honouring our girl.

"Sacha was loved and adored by so many people and we wanted to give everyone a chance to contribute to something that can be used to remember our beautiful, caring and exceptional girl."

More than 120 people have already donated to the fundraising campaign, which hopes to raise £3,000.

Anyone who would like to donate towards Ms Holmes memorial bench can do so by visiting the GoFundMe page.

The family of Sacha's friend Tori Wilson have also organised a GoFundMe appeal to raise funeral costs.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the family, from Moortown, have told of their heartbreak at losing their "kind and caring girl with the biggest heart of gold".

Sister Rebecca, 31, said Tori had studied beauty for two years and was beginning to "love herself a little bit more".

Rebecca said “Tori was a kind and caring girl with the biggest, purest heart of gold. She always had the time to stop and talk to anybody and she touched the lives of everyone she met.

“Mum and dad are broken, we’re all broken but we’re trying to stay strong for the kids.

“We’re still in this dream world where we think she’s still out or still at home. You read these stories but you never think it’s going to happen to you - we’re all replaying the last day with her, the last thing we said.

“But we’ve got 30 years of happy memories which we’ll hold onto.

“There will never be another Tori Wilson.”

Tori leaves behind her parents Karen and David, two sisters Rebecca and Laura and older brother Oliver.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the crash or has dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

Detective Inspector Paul Conroy from the Major Collision Enquiry Team said: "We are continuing to support both families of Tori and Sacha at this difficult time.

"A full investigation is ongoing into the circumstances surrounding this collision.

"I would still like to appeal to anyone who was in the Carr Lane area of Thorner from around 1am and who saw the vehicle to come forward and speak to us.

"We understand that the vehicle was last seen at approximately 00.50 hours on Wyke Ridge Lane, travelling away from Leeds."

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage is asked to call the Major Collision Enquiry Team on 101 or use the contact us options online, quoting reference 13200541398.