Plea to help crash victims’ single mum
A friend of the mother of two siblings who died in a shocking crash in Sydney’s southwest has started a fundraiser to help the single mum pay for their funerals.
Alina Kauffman, 24 was picking up her 15-year-old brother Ernesto from his first job at Kmart when their car was involved in a collision with a Mercedes 4WD allegedly travelling at high speed in Heckenberg on Friday night.
They both died at the scene.
Their single mother, Angelina Kauffman, has been left to organise both of her children’s funerals and cover the “daunting financial” cost of them.
“She is a single mother who has worked tirelessly to provide for her family,” her friend Alana Sisifa said in a post to the fundraising website GoFundMe.
“She now faces not only the unimaginable loss of her two beloved children but also the daunting financial responsibility of arranging a dignified farewell for them, ensuring they are remembered with the dignity and respect they were denied in their final moments.”
Already the fundraiser has raised more than $19,000 of its $20,000 target.
A candlelit vigil was attended by 150 people on Sunday night at the crash scene in Heckenberg where flowers have been laid in tribute of the young siblings.
Ms Sisifa described Alina as a “beautiful, fun-loving 24-year-old with a heart full of compassion (who) was pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse”.
She said Alina had taken time out of her Friday night to pick up her “beloved brother” from his job at Kmart.
He was saving up to buy his first car.
They were just 200m away from their family home when the crash occurred.
“The siblings also leave behind their loving sister, Ayeanna, who must now navigate the profound loss of her cherished brother and sister,” Ms Sisifa said.
“No family should have to face such a devastating loss alone.
“Your kindness and empathy can make a world of difference in Angelina’s and Ayeanna’s lives as they embark on this heartbreaking journey of grief and healing together.”
Johnson Kokozian, 20, turned himself into police and was charged by police over the crash.
He was refused bail and will appear in court on Wednesday.
