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The family of little Georgia Lawson who died in a tragic accident at their home near Beechwood two years ago have stepped up their road safety campaign.
Her father, Tom Lawson paid for several thousand pink stars last year when he launched the campaign: “Check before you drive to keep your kids alive.”
People hang the stars, with Georgia’s photo on them, from the driver’s mirror in their cars, to remind them to watch out for children.
The campaign took off in a big way, and Georgia’s grandmother, Cheryl has made new boxes containing the stars and will distribute them around Wauchope.
“Maybe people who don’t have a star will buy one, and prevent another little child from being run over,” she said.
The past two years have been very tough for Tom and his wife, Lana, who have a little boy, Lane, and for Georgia’s grandparents and family members.
“You have some very sad times, especially when you’re on your own, and you look at photos and our little treasures,” said Cheryl.
“But you have to keep on, and this is all about – hopefully to save some other little child.
“We will never know if it works, but it slows me down. I look at my star when I drive, and I say: ‘Keep me safe, little Georgie,’’” added Cheryl.
Tom said that previously, shopkeepers had to handle the money for the stars, but now, people just put the money in the box, and the family collect it, and put it into the special credit union account to keep the campaign going.
“The money is purely so we can donate to other families who have a tragedy. I donated to the family of a little girl who drowned in a pool. I put $1,300 towards her GoFundMe.
“If someone has had an accident, I would like to hear from those people. That’s what the money is for, and also to buy more stars,” said Tom.
The family say it’s a slow process, but at least the campaign is moving. The first 3,000 stars sold out.
And they are very grateful to the Wauchope community for their support over the past two years.
Georgia’s family gathered to remember her, beside her little friends and educators at TG’s Child Care in Riverbreeze on Tuesday.
The children sang Georgia’s favourite song, “Twinkle, twinkle, little star”. Then everyone released pink balloons and placed stones in Georgia’s special garden at the centre.
It was a short, simple ceremony to support the Lawsons and they appreciated it very much.