More than £12,000 has so far been raised
A fundraiser is underway to raise money for the funeral of a mum and teenage daughter who died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in a burger van.
Tyla Wanstall found his mum Leah Churchill, 50, and 17-year-old sister Brooke Wanstall dead on Tuesday morning when he opened his food truck.
The mother and daughter had been decorating the Meat ‘N’ Greet van with balloons and banners to surprise Tyla for his 26th birthday that day.
The pair had not told him they were going to the van, and it was only when Tyla turned up at around 8am that he discovered Leah and Brooke.
He said he immediately smelt fumes as he opened the van, and emergency teams called to the scene told him that the pair “likely” suffered carbon monoxide poisoning.
Tyla believes that his mum had turned on the petrol generator so that she and Brooke could “keep warm” whilst decorating.
But they didn’t realise the danger of this. Portable generators can often cause carbon monoxide, along with appliances that burn gas, wood, oil and coal.
Because it is colourless and has no smell, people cannot tell when they are breathing it in.
Tyla explained that when in use, the generator is placed outside the van but had been kept in the van overnight for security.
Friends and family have since rallied together to support the family’s funeral costs, and more than £12,000 has been donated in total to give the pair a “big, bold and pink” send-off.
Tyla endorsed the fundraising on his Facebook account.
He said: “I hate having to ask for help, but we really do need it.
“All the money will be going towards an amazing joint funeral to give them both the send-off they deserve.
“Anything left over will go towards my little brother and just trying to get things back on track with my mum’s house.”
Fundraisers have been set up by Craig Phillips, on behalf of Brooke’s dad Justin, and Georgie Jacobs.
Georgie promised to create a send-off the mum and daughter would love.
Craig surpassed his £5,000 target and at the time of writing Georgie has raised £6,095 of her £10,000 goal.
She said: “As many of you are aware, on February 14th, we heard of the devastating news that 2 young, beautiful lives were sadly taken away & in a way that has left everyone speechless.
“I and am sure many of you would like to ensure that we can at least ease some of the financial cost towards the funeral, and all pay our respects in a way I’m sure everyone will agree will help the family.
“With everyone giving what they can we give Leah a send off alongside her daughter Brooke’s which she would love – big, bold & most of all pink!”
Craig says he wants to help Justin say goodbye to Brooke.
He said: “I’m hoping to help my friend Justin to say a special goodbye to his lovely daughter Brooke, who passed away with her mum tragically, and to help him going forward with the family.”
The crowdfunding missions join the huge outpouring of support and love following the tragic incident.
On Wednesday evening mourners released hundreds of balloons on Herne Bay beach in memory of Leah and Brooke.
Balloons released in Herne Bay in memory of Leah Churchill and Brooke Wanstall – found dead in a burger van in Whitstable from suspected accidental carbon-monoxide poisoning. pic.twitter.com/uIhWec5lvg
— Simon Jones (@SimonJonesNews) February 15, 2023
Mum-of-four Leah leaves behind another daughter, Ocean, 23, and Sonny, 12.
Brooke had just finished her GCSEs at Archbishop’s School, Canterbury and started a new carer job that she loved.
Next week she was set to take her driving test.
Grieving Tyla said: “Mum was so kind and would do anything for anyone.”
“She would take a homeless man in off the streets if she was allowed. Brooke was just a live-wire with a huge personality.
”It’s heartbreaking to think they spent their last few moments just trying to put a smile on my face.
“I opened the van door and and saw my mum and sister and for an instant thought they had fallen asleep.
“I smelt fumes but it just didn’t register straight away, but it became obvious they were both dead.
“I called the police and ambulance but it was the firefighters who told me it was likely carbon monoxide poisoning.
“Mum made a fatal mistake and we don’t want this to happen to anyone else.
“Be aware of this thing, people. If you haven’t got a carbon monoxide alarm go and get one. It is a serious killer.
“I don’t know how we’re ever going to get over this.”
An inquest is due to open in due course.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headaches, dizziness, feeling sick, feeling weak, confusion, shortness of breath, and chest and muscle pain.
You can find out more information about carbon monoxide poisoning on the NHS website.
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