A FUNDRAISING campaign for a young mum who died in a crash in Reading on Wednesday has raised more than £17,000 in less than three days.

Lauren Heath, 20, was pushing her daughter Millie in a pram in Basingstoke Road when the crash took place, with the baby girl surviving with minor head injuries.

Bouquets of flowers and other tributes, including teddy bears and toys, have been left at the scene by mourners and locals stunned by Lauren's death.

Shopkeeper Lokendra Dhakar said: "People are quite overwhelmed here. We feel that one of our own has been lost. 

“Even though we didn't know her, she was one of the community. She was one of us. 

“The sorrow has not gone away.”

Tributes have been pouring in on Facebook since news of the tragedy became public on Wednesday afternoon. 

Hayley Hewlett wrote: “I had to go home and cuddle my baby girl when I heard the news. You never know what's going to happen in this world. 

“My thoughts are with the family. I've not stopped thinking about her since yesterday, and for the first time ever I prayed last night for little Millie. 

“God bless you Lauren xxx”

Deborah Dawson wrote: ”I only saw you on a bus a couple of weeks ago and remarked to my husband how beautiful both you and your daughter looked so so sad RIP Lauren and I'm sure Millie will be well looked after?”

Over 1,500 separate donations have been made on a Go Fund Me page set up by one of Lauren's friends, with the proceeds to go towards funeral costs and a trust fund for her daughter. 

Dave Warren, who owns a pet shop on Buckland Road, said: “It is just shock. Everybody seems to be in shock.

“I don't think anything like this has happened here for a long time. I have been running the shop here for 30 years and I don't remember anything this tragic.”

To see the page or donate to the cause go to www.gofundme.com/56z2gsyc