Caitlyn Jensen: Family fundraising for support after mum’s horror death weeks before Christmas

A Southern Downs family is appealing for support as they deal with losing their mother, described as the ‘brightest star in everyone’s life’, mere weeks before Christmas. Here’s how you can help.

Warwick mum of three Caitlyn Jensen sadly died after a horror crash. (Photo: Supplied)

A Southern Downs family who will be without their adored mum this Christmas are still reeling from the tragedy, and need your help.

Caitlyn Jensen, 29, died in two-vehicle crash at an intersection in Warwick on the evening of December 6.

Ms Jensen is survived by her fiance Anthony Rye and their three little girls aged between five and one, who were in the Kia Sportage during the collision.

Close family friend Shakira Butler said Ms Jensen was a bubbly, outgoing personality that everyone loved, and was “the brightest star in everyone’s life”.

Since the tragic death, a fundraiser has been launched but was closed. It is understood the previous fundraiser was set up without the blessing of Ms Jensen’s family, despite raising more than $3000.

Ms Butler has since set up a bank account to accept donations on behalf of the family, who are “struggling”.

This publication can verify that the family are aware, and can confirm the bank account will go into the hands of the family before Christmas.

Ms Jensen’s fiance, Mr Rye, has since been released from hospital after the crash, and is “doing what he can”, Ms Butler said.

“She was like the big sister I never had,” Ms Butler said of her close friend of more than two decades.

Caitlyn Jensen has been described as a bubbly, outgoing personality that everyone loved, and was “the brightest star in everyone’s life.”

“I’ve been around the family forever, I was there when all the kids were born, and she was there for me when my two were born, we were pretty inseparable.”

Ms Butler said Ms Jensen had studied as a nurse and worked at Warwick Hospital and in local age care before becoming a full-time mum.

“It kills me to have lost the closest thing I have had to a big sister, we’re all quite a bit of a mess,” she said.

“We used to do a lot together (Caitlyn and I), we used to always go on big drives and get coffee together. We grew up together and our kids were growing up together.

“We’ve decided to set up a separate bank account so we can give the funds to Anthony, for him and the girls to help with Christmas and funeral expenses, as GoFundMe takes 5 per cent of donations.

Warwick mum of three Caitlyn Jensen sadly died after a horror crash on Friday. (Photo: Supplied)

“The family is so broken and coping as best as they can. The kids although are young are heartbroken, everyone is at a loss, we don’t know what to do.

“It’s such a freak thing to have happened.”

Ms Butler said the family was feeling “completely broken” and knows Christmas will not be the same for the children without their mother.

“It hurts so much, but at the end of the day it’s not just me hurting, so I have put it on the back burner and want to help (Mr Rye) and the kids who are taking it a lot harder than the rest of us,” she said.

You can donate directly to the bank account which will go to Ms Jensen’s fiance, with details on Facebook.

Originally published as Caitlyn Jensen: Family fundraising for support after mum’s horror death weeks before Christmas