Award-winning film charts family's recovery from grief

But now the film student has charted her family's difficult recovery from the tragedy in a moving documentary.

Sophie Piggott, who is studying for a BA in Media (Film) Production at Staffordshire University, lost her mother Sarah, 42, and her youngest brother Simon, aged seven, in the accident in 2006.

Mrs Piggott, who was nine months pregnant and was due to be induced the day after the accident, had gone to collect Simon from school in Shrewsbury when they were both killed as they walked along the side of the road.

Sophie says she was determined to see her film, '26' – named after the day her mother and brother died – through to the end to serve as a reminder to people to make the most of what they have. It tells her family's story through her father, Steve.

And her hard work and determination to honour her family has paid off – her documentary has received two national film awards.

Sophie said: "It was something I've always wanted to do and the lecturers at Staffordshire University encourage us to make films that mean something to us.

"My family were more than supportive of the film being made. At first I didn't want to tell them or ask to them be involved on camera, but they were more than happy to be involved.

"I didn't expect such a personal film to affect others in the way it has and to be chosen over other, more professional, films. I am very proud and humbled by its success and so are my family."

In the film, Sophie's father speaks eloquently about how he first met his wife and the birth of his children against the backdrop of old home videos. He then recalls the devastating moment he cradled his stillborn son Sullivan, another victim of the tragedy, for the first time.

He tells how Simon was so proud to ride his bike without stabilisers – and then, just weeks later, he was killed in the accident. Mr Piggott also remembers how he proposed to his wife weeks after they first started going out, and talks about their 'perfect' wedding day.

Sophie's other brothers, Sam and Scott, also appear on film watching their mother and brother in home movie clips. Mr Piggott said the accident had taught him not to put things off until tomorrow.

Since the accident he has taken his motorbike test as it was something he had always wanted to do. "On my bike I have a little motto," he said. "It says: 'One Life, Live It', and that's how it should be." And he reveals that when his youngest child has gone to university he plans to travel the world on his motorbike.

The film has been awarded Best Documentary Short at both Suffolk Film Festival and Screen Stockport Film Festival.

Sophie added: "From the word go I was asked if this was a kind of therapy and I have to say yes it was, because it was for me, it definitely made me think that if I can do this film, I can do anything."

Mr and Mrs Piggott were married for 22 years before the tragedy and lived in Monkmoor. In 2007 a pub manager from Shrewsbury was convicted of driving without due care and attention following the accident in Robertson Way, Shrewsbury.