THE family of two girls who died alongside their parents in a horror crash in Barnsley last July have heaped praise on their school for helping keep their memory alive.

On July 21 last year, police rushed to the A61 Barnsley Road between Wakefield and Barnsley following reports that a motorcycle and Ford Focus had collided.

The crash killed six people, including 33-year-old Shane Roller, 30-year-old Shannen Morgan and two of their children - nine-year-old Rubie and four-year-old Lillie.

The incident rocked the nation to its core and more than £400,000 was raised for young Poppie whose parents and sisters had died.

The community rallied around the family, with the local church opening up for a memorial service as well as Athersley North Primary School - where both Rubie and Lillie attended - being used as a hub for care.

More than a year on since the devastating incident, the family have paid tribute and thanked residents - in particularly the school - for everything they have done.

A statement from the Morgan family sent to the Chronicle said: “The whole school - staff and children alike - have been extraordinary with their care, empathy and thoughtfulness.

“Keeping the memory of our loved ones alive is so important to our family and the very special way the school have done this has been a great comfort to all of us.

“Through supporting each other, the local community, Lillie and Rubie’s sister and cousins and the Morgan family as a whole, they have shown what a care, family-orientated school they are.”

The family told the Chronicle the work the school has done is nothing short of outstanding.

From creating a quiet place in the playground for children to remember them, to create a new award in their honour - they say the school has gone above and beyond what they’d ever expect.

They added: “It was the start of the six week holidays when it happened and they immediately opened up the school and invited people from the community who were affected it.

“It’s the special things that they’ve done.

“They opened up a book of condolence and obviously it’s a primary school so not all the children can write sentences, but the younger children did little pictures and the older ones wrote anecdotes of Lillie and Rubie.

“The parents and staff wrote things too which was just really comforting to read.

“To think that so many people were affected by it was just unbelievable.

“They’ve helped keep their memory alive.

“They created a new award for any pupil that has been extraordinary.

“They’ve included us as much as possible in the things that they’ve done.

“They did a purple day for Rubie on her birthday and a yellow day for Lillie just before they broke up.”

The family have subsequently nominated the school in this year’s Proud of Barnsley awards - and said teachers and pupils should be proud of everything they have done.

The nomination said: “Rubie, Lillie and Poppie attended the school, with Poppie having attended her year six prom a few days before.

“The headteachers of Athersley North Primary School, Clare Storr and Kirsty Wordsworth, were quick to open the school during the summer holidays to offer support, not just to the children who attended the school but to the whole community.

“Since then Clare and Kirsty and all of the staff at Athersley North Primary School have been absolutely amazing.

“As well as the support and empathy they have shown, they have made sure that they have kept the memories of Rubie and Lillie alive.

“This has been a great comfort to our family, especially to their sister, Poppie and their cousins.

“The whole school, staff and children, have been an immense support to our family.

“We cannot thank them enough and feel if any school should be School of the Year 2025, it should be Athersley North Primary School.

“They should be very proud of themselves, as we are.”

The school said the nomination isn’t just a recognition of their work - but a tribute to the family.

Clare and Kirsty said: “We are overwhelmed and deeply grateful to receive this nomination from the family.

“It means so much that, even while navigating their own grief, they took the time to acknowledge the school.

“Last year, we faced an unimaginable challenge - supporting our pupils and families through the devastating loss of beloved members of our school community.

“Our staff worked tirelessly, with compassion and courage, in circumstances no one should ever have to face.

“We did our best to create space for remembrance, celebration, and support.

“This nomination is not just a recognition of our work - it is a tribute to Rubie and Lillie, Shannen and Shane.”