Devastated parents of Coventry hit-and-run brothers thank well-wishers for raising more than £20,000 for their funerals
Donations poured into a crowdfunding page set up just hours after Corey and Casper Platt-May - aged six and two - were struck as they crossed the road with their mum Louise in Coventry last week
THE heartbroken parents of two young brothers mown down by a suspected hit-and-run drink driver thanked well wishes for raising more than £20,000 for funeral costs.
Donations poured into a crowdfunding page set up just hours after Corey and Casper Platt-May - aged six and two - were struck as they crossed the road with their mum Louise in Coventry last week.
Speaking on behalf of Louise and dad Reece, relative Laura Dooley, who set up the page, urged: “Please help Louise and Reece to raise money for funeral costs. All donations are appreciated from the whole family.
“Thank you for the unbelievable amount of support. The money can go towards things such as flowers etc.”
Lauren had set a target of £20,000 which has now been raised with donations still pouring in. Nearly 1,300 people have given £20,480.
Supporter Neil Meagor posted: "After reading this last night it really troubled me. I have two boys and can't imagine what the family are going through. Life is so cruel. Hopefully this can help."
Holly Jago wrote: "I am so sorry for your heartbreaking loss."
Local resident Avtar Chagger, who alerted emergency services before dashing to the scene has now donated to the fund, adding: "In this tragic situation it is a nice gesture for the family, not just to help towards funeral costs but anything else they will need in the future.
"Please support the family. It is heartbreaking for them."
Robert Brown, 53, and his fiance Gwendoline Harris, 41, are accused of two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.
The pair made a dramatic appearance in court, with Brown having to be restrained after calling the judge a "f***ing p***k."
During his seven minute court appearance this morning, Brown yelled "this is f***ing kangaroo court" in the bizarre outburst.
Harrison also faces a common assault rap while Brown faces additional charges of driving while disqualified, no insurance and otherwise than in accordance with a license.
Footage obtained by the Sun shows cops forcing Brown to the ground after he appeared to lunge at two female officers shackling Harrison.
A damaged black Ford Focus with 03 plates was found abandoned less than half a mile further down the road.
Brown and Harrison confirmed their name and address in the brief hearing at Warwick Justice Centre in Leamington this morning.
The pair were dressed in prison issued grey tracksuits and flanked by five guards.
On two occasions during the hearing, Brown stood up to shout to the court room saying: “It’s a f***ing kangaroo court.”
He was told to sit down or he would be removed from the court.
The pair were remanded in custody to appear at Warwick Crown Court on the 22nd March.
Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the Collision Investigation Unit at West Midlands Police, said: "It is always tragic to lose loved ones, especially when so young, and we are continuing to offer our support to family members at such a devastating time.
"We are very appreciative of the overwhelming help we have received from the public during our investigations to date; and we continue to ask anyone with information who has not already spoken to us to get in touch with us."
The devastated family of Corey and Caspar yesterday paid tribute to them, with their devastated granddad Kim May, 51, describing them as his "heart and soul.
"They’ve been torn away so young. Corey was a big football fan, he was a Man United fan. They were boisterous, usual boys – loving and caring boys.
“I took the phone call and came straight from work, I was in disbelief and still can’t believe what happened. The whole street was obliterated, it looked like a bomb had gone off.”
Chilling CCTV footage showing the car speeding down the road just seconds before ploughing into the two little boys.
Dramatic pictures show a toddler’s pushchair on its side on the grass verge and debris scattered all over the road after the horror smash at around 2pm.
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Traumatised witnesses have told how they saw the mum pushing the pram seconds before the crash with neighbours saying they picked up the tots “little shoes and hats” from the roadside.
Both brothers were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, but Caspar died shortly after.
Police confirmed at about 7pm on Thursday that six-year-old Corey had died too.
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