United in face of car crash tragedy

A family was left devastated late last month when popular Manjimup mother-of-five Corinna Marie Carpanoni was killed in a car crash.

Four weeks on and her cousin Damian Smith and his wife Casie hope to raise money to support the beloved children Miss Carpanoni left behind.

Mr Smith said the family had banded together to care for her three daughters and two sons, who are aged between five and 15.

The Meadow Springs resident said the children had been temporarily placed with different family members, but no decision had been made about where they would remain permanently.

"Corinna was so fun-loving and loyal. She would have done anything for her kids," Mr Smith said.

"Her house in Manjimup was like a drop-in centre and she helped at the Aboriginal centre there.

"It's been a big loss for a lot of people, especially her children."

Mr Smith said Miss Carpanoni had returned from a trip to Bunbury on May 28 and dropped her children off at home.

He said she took off on a small errand about 5pm and crashed into a tree about 8pm.

"The family have taken some comfort in the fact that she died instantly. But you never believe something like this will happen in your family," Mr Smith said.

"It was especially difficult for the kids as they had lost three other family members over the past few years."

Mrs Smith said she hoped the fundraiser on Sunday next week would attract donations for the children's futures.

She said a whole day of fun had been planned to lift the spirits of Miss Carpanoni's five and 15-year-old sons and eight, 11 and 13-year-old daughters.

"We'll have sumo suits for the bigger kids, a bouncy castle, petting zoo, unicorn pony rides and much more," Mrs Smith said. Pop down to the Meadow Springs Sports Centre on July 5 between 9am and 4pm.

Visit www.gofundme.com/w7q3k66c to donate.