Mum was devoted to her family | Ipswich News | Local News in Ipswich

FRIENDS of young mum Sherri Buchanan yesterday remembered her as kind, compassionate and devoted to her children and family.

Ms Buchanan, 25, was killed on Tuesday after her car overturned on the Warrego Highway, five kilometres east of Miles.

She was travelling from Gatton to Charleville to visit her sick mother with her six-year-old daughter Amber and son Jacob, 4.

They were taken to Miles Hospital with minor injuries.

Katherine Plint said she and her husband Andrew were friends with Ms Buchanan before their daughter Hannah drowned in October 2007.

Hannah's drowning in her family's backyard pool prompted her parents to set up Hannah's Foundation to raise water safety awareness and support families of drowning victims.

Mrs Plint said Ms Buchanan became the first general member of Hannah's Foundation.

“When Hannah died, she was there for me every time. Every day I had a bad day, she was on the phone,” Mrs Plint said yesterday.

“I don't know why the good die young. It's a mystery of life.

“I'm just trying to comprehend it. I was in absolute shock when her employer rang to tell me.

“Hannah's tragedy really touched her and now we're really touched by her tragedy.”

She said Ms Buchanan donated every fortnight to the foundation through her workplace program at Pohlman's Nursery and raised a further $3000.

“She was just a lovely person,” Mrs Plint said. “Child safety was one of her biggest passions. She loved her kids; and the kids were saved because they were in proper car seats. That's the one really positive message I'd like to see come out of this - the importance of the five-point safety harness.”

Mrs and Mr Plint have started an appeal for Amber and Jacob and to support Ms Buchanan's partner Allan Pierpoint.

“Allan won't be able to work. We know what grieving's like. It's hard to rebuild your life,” she said.

“We hope the community digs deep. We'd like to put the kids through school because that's what Sherri would have wanted.”

• Donations can be made at: BSB: 704052. Account 1035885. Account Name: Hannah's Foundation. Reference: Sherri Ann.