Every day is a struggle for the family of 22-year-old Lauren Danks whose death was caused by a Suffolk drink-driver.

East Anglian Daily Times: Lauren Danks with her mum Claire, father Robert, and brothers Kieran, Bobby and JaydenLauren Danks with her mum Claire, father Robert, and brothers Kieran, Bobby and Jayden (Image: Archant)

Just over two years ago the senior beauty therapist from Soham was travelling home from her first evening shift at Center Parcs, Elveden, when three-time drink-driver Nelson Curtis, from Lakenheath, crashed into her car on the A11 at Barton Mills.

Curtis, who was more than twice the drink-drive limit and travelling at 124mph, was jailed for his reckless actions.

Lauren’s mother Claire, 45, and father Robert, 47, are supporting Suffolk police’s drink-driving campaign in the hope that it makes someone “think twice” and can spare another family the pain they endure every day.

Claire said: “There’s no reason to drink drive. You can take cabs. They are unnecessary journeys people are making.

“It was a selfish action of one person on that night that has had such an impact on us as a family. It ripples, from us to the grandparents and friends.”

Claire, who also has three other children, said every day was a struggle to hold it together, but added: “You have a choice: you either go under or you don’t. You are not going to go under as you have other children so you have to go on.”

She said Lauren’s whole future had been snatched away by Curtis and the family live with that “every single day of our lives”.

“It’s cruel,” she said. “I cannot even say words so people can begin to understand the pain and devastation of Lauren not being with us.

“We are a very close family. We are never going to see her enjoying her special moments and it’s just incredibly heart-breaking.

“She will always be 22. Some of her friends have had children. That has been taken off me. I’m not going to have that. I’m not going to see Lauren get married and Lauren become a mum and I’m not going to become a grandparent for Lauren.”

Claire, whose family has been supported by the Road Victims Trust, said there should be a zero-tolerance approach to drink-driving and also believes longer sentences act as a deterrent.

Last year the Government announced drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs will face a life sentence.

Claire added: “I feel if just one person doesn’t drink drive there’s something positive I have done for Lauren.”