20 August 2018

Canberra community shows support for family of little boy whose life was tragically cut short

| Glynis Quinlan
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Blake Corney was “a beautiful, lively and intelligent little four-year-old boy with the world at his feet” until his life was tragically cut short in a car crash. Photo: Supplied.

The tragic loss of a much-loved four-year-old boy in a recent multi-vehicle accident on the Monaro Highway has impacted the Canberra community which has come out in force to support a fundraising campaign to help the grieving family.

Blake Corney was described as being “a beautiful, lively and intelligent little four-year-old boy with the world at his feet” when his life was cut short on the morning of July 28.

He was travelling in a car from his home in Lanyon with his mother, Camille Jago, father Andrew Corney and two-year-old brother Aidan when the accident occurred – involving three vehicles and a truck.

“They were on their way to a toy shop, and Blake was in his element – surrounded by his loving family and singing his favourite music,” wrote family friend, Kylie Ingram, on a ‘GoFundMe’ page set up to help support Blake’s family.

“Tragically they never made it to the toy shop, a truck rear-ended their car at traffic lights on the Monaro Highway and Blake was killed.

“His family are lost without him.”

The fundraising page was set up early last week by members of Camille’s mother’s group as a way for the Canberra community to support Blake’s family and “take away some of the financial pressures they are now facing”.

“Funds raised will also allow Camille, Andrew and Aidan to set up a memorial for Blake at a place special to the family so that they can remember their little boy in the days, weeks, months and years to come without him,” wrote Kylie on the page.

As of this morning, $9,000 had already been raised and the goal has been extended to $15,000.

“We are completely overwhelmed with the response. We didn’t think it would go that high that quickly,” Kylie told The RiotACT.

Kylie and the other members of the 12-strong mother’s group are themselves devastated by Blake’s loss and can’t begin to imagine what the family are going through.

“We are holding our kids a lot tighter than we were,” Kylie said.

She said that Camille and Andrew are trying to be strong for their two-year-old son Aidan who used to be his big brother’s “shadow”.

“I think in the privacy of their own home they will be doing it very tough but they are putting on a brave face,” Kylie said.

The mother’s group started four years ago and Kylie remembers Blake as always being energetic and “constantly on the go”.

“He was the loveliest, most beautiful little kid.”

Kylie said that Blake also really loved trains and his memorial will perhaps incorporate trains in some way.

Both the mother’s group and members of the Corney/Jago family greatly appreciate the support being provided.

Anyone who would like to contribute can go to the fundraising page by clicking here.

Among the many comments on the site is one from a former preschool teacher, who writes:

“My class always felt a little bit empty when you moved up Blakey, now there is a big gaping hole that can’t be fixed. I miss your smile and cheekiness. It was my pleasure to be able to teach you.”

Another comment reads: “As a Mum of three little boys, this breaks my heart. My heart goes out to Blake’s family and friends.”

Perhaps understanding the family’s grief most of all is another grieving mother, who comments: “I lost my beautiful 19-year-old son following a car accident at Tidbinbilla 9 months ago. My heart goes out to you. Crying as I write this.”

At this stage ACT Policing has been unable to provide any update on their investigation into the multi-vehicle accident, which took place around 9.30 am on Saturday, July 28 near Mugga Lane in Hume. They said the investigation is ongoing.

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