A grieving mother in Morden has opened a tea room to honor her daughter, who tragically lost her life due to a drunk driving incident.
Morden: A heartbroken mum, Debbie Clack, has opened a tea room in memory of her daughter, Lillie, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver on Christmas morning.
Lillie, just 22, was in a car with Charlie Hilton, who was drunk and speeding. The police chased him, but it ended in a horrific crash that took Lillie’s life.
Debbie remembers that awful night when the police knocked on her door. She and her son rushed to the hospital, only to hear the devastating news that Lillie was brain dead.
It was a nightmare. Lillie was the only one who didn’t survive the crash. Charlie Hilton, the driver, didn’t even show remorse when questioned later.
Debbie shared how the autopsy had to prove Lillie’s injuries were from the crash because Hilton kept saying “no comment.” It was frustrating to see him still allowed to drive after such a tragedy.
After a long wait, Hilton was jailed in February 2023, but Debbie felt the sentence was too light for someone with his history.
In March 2022, Lillie was laid to rest in a cemetery they lovingly called “The Garden.” Debbie visits her daughter’s grave every day, cherishing their memories together.
Then, in summer 2022, Debbie found an empty room in the cemetery and decided to turn it into a tea room. She wanted to create a space that honored Lillie and helped others.
With the support of her family and community, Debbie opened Lillie’s in the Garden in September 2024. The tea room not only serves delicious treats but also supports a charity called Eyes Wet Now, which helps families with burial costs.
Debbie explained that opening a tea room was Lillie’s dream. They had often talked about it, and now, through this initiative, she feels Lillie’s spirit is alive.
Debbie is also fighting for stricter laws against drunk driving. She believes that drivers who cause fatalities should have their licenses revoked immediately.
She’s gathered signatures for a petition to push for this change, emphasizing that these drivers are killers and shouldn’t get a second chance.
Debbie’s mission is clear: to honor Lillie’s memory while advocating for justice and change in the law. People can support her cause by signing the petition on the Justice 4 Our Lillie website.
