My sister will be taking good care of Zackary: Mother pays tribute to her baby boy killed alongside his aunt by drink driver in 140mph crash on what would have been his first birthday

A mother has paid tribute to her baby son after he was killed alongside his aunt in a horror car crash earlier this year.

Speaking on what would have been Zackarys first birthday the tots heartbroken mother, Shalorna, expressed how shes found some comfort knowing her sister will be looking after her son.

She said: Karlene was such a protective big sister and also an amazing mum. One positive is I know that Karlene will be taking good care of Zackary - Ive always said that.

Zackary would have turned one last Thursday and his loved ones marked the occasion by hosting a fundraising event at a local school.  

Shalorna said he was her rainbow baby- a term used for an infant born to a family who have previously lost a pregnancy - and said he had been the light at the end of a tunnel of a very dark time.

Zackary Baldes was eight-months-old when he was killed in a horrific car crash in County Durham earlier this year

Zackarys aunt, flight attendant Karlene Warner, was also killed in the horror crash

Pictured: Shalorna Warner and Zackarys father, Jack Blades. Sharlona said Zackary was her rainbow baby and the light at the end of a tunnel

Shalorna, was picking up her sister Karlene, 30, from Newcastle Airport in the early hours of May 31 after her sibling had finished one of her first shifts as a TUI air hostess.

On the way home south to Durham, Darryl Anderson, 38, crashed into the back of them on the on the A1(M) while also driving from the airport back to Yorkshire.

Zackary, who was in the back seat, was flung from the car and sadly lost his life. Karlene also tragically died at the scene and she left behind her daughter Everly.

An investigation later found Mr Anderson was driving at 141mph moments before the crash taking a picture of his speedo meter on WhatsApp, while being almost three times the drink-drive limit.

He was jailed for 17 years at Durham Crown Court on July 9.

Family and friends gathered at Whitworth Park Academy in Spennymoor on Saturday where food stalls, raffles, and birds of prey were on show.

The tot would have turned one last Thursday and his loved ones marked the occasion by hosting a fundraising event at a local school, Whitworth Park Academy in Spennymoor

Zackarys family and friends gathered together at the school on Saturday where food stalls, raffles, and birds of prey were on show. The family are hoping to raise over £70,000 to build what they have called a Together Room at Darlington Memorial Hospital - allowing families to be together during times of crisis

 The family are hoping to raise over £70,000 to build what they have called a Together Room at Darlington Memorial Hospital - allowing families to be together during times of crisis and grief.

Shalorna said: It is really hard.

Things like this keep you busy and stop you thinking about things but the reality is that they are both not here.

Karlene was such a protective big sister and also an amazing mum. One positive is I know that Karlene will be taking good care of Zackary - Ive always said that.

Darryl Anderson, 38, killed Zackary Blades and the infants aunt, air stewardess Karlene Warner, 30 and was jailed for 17 years at Durham Crown Court on July 9

This is why we have called our charity Together - because they are together. Thats the one positive thing to take from this.

She added: Its hard being here. I love seeing kids and being a mam but I always think that should have been my son.

Explaining where the idea for the room came from, Shalornas sister Lareesa, 28, spoke of the time they spent at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle where a similar facility was used by her family following the crash.

But, it never felt real until we came back to the UK. Karlene would always be so excited to see me. But, the reality is that she isnt here. They both arent here.

My bike ride will be a challenge and I know it will be hard, but the real challenge now is going through our lives without Karlene and Zackary every day.

And then theres baby Zack. He was always smiling, and laughing. He could have grown up and been somebody and done something with his life.

He was always happy and was a mams boy, stuck to her hip like a little monkey. The last time I saw him thats where he was - sucking on his dummy and smiling.

Zackary was such a wonderful child.

Alongside their fundraising, the family also set up a petition in hopes of introducing a mandatory lifelong driving ban for deaths caused by dangerous driving.

The petition is now close to 76,000 signatures and has been backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen who has promised to do everything possible to support the campaign and raise the issue nationally.

Comissioner Allen said in July: Drink or drug driving is a selfish and inexcusable act.

A chilling photo of Andersons shattered Audi following the terrifying high-speed smash

Police at the scene of the crash on May 31, which took place between Chester-le-Street and Durham

Anderson, of Clarell Walk, Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, appeared at Durham Crown Court (pictured) via video-link from prison and pleaded guilty to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving

It is vital our justice system sufficiently punishes those who recklessly gamble with peoples lives and cause these devastating tragedies to prevent them from harming other innocent people in the future.

Ms Warner has suffered the most unimaginable grief and loss. I cannot put into words how courageous and inspirational she is to take this pain and apply it positively to secure vital changes that will prevent others from enduring the same heartache.

I will be fully supporting her efforts to highlight this issue at the highest level of government. Drug and drink driving are crimes against us all and together we must stand strong and act to avoid further unnecessary deaths.