A 30-year-old woman will appear in court in New Zealand tomorrow following the death of a former Shrewsbury woman and her partner during a charity motorcycle ride.

Vivien Butler, known by her middle name Jodie, and Jonathan Hale, both 31, died in a crash near Fairlie in South Canterbury on December 2, just a couple of months after starting a new life on the other side of the world.

Local man Gavin Macdonald was also killed. His 11-year-old daughter Olivia, who was a pillion passenger, died in hospital shortly after the accident.

Heike Schellnegger will appear in court tomorrow after admitting four charges of careless use of a vehicle causing death and two charges of careless use of a vehicle causing injury.

She was the driver of a camper van which collided with the group of motorcyclists, who were on an annual run to give Christmas presents to sick children.

A joint funeral for Jodie and Jonathan will be held on Friday at Wordsley’s Holy Trinity Church in the High Street at 12.30pm.

This will be followed by a service at Gornal Wood Crematorium in Cinder Road, DY3 2RL.

Jodie’s family said all are welcome to attend either or both services.

Flowers are welcome from family and close friends and donations should be sent to the Wombourne Funeral Services, 124 Bridge Road, Wombourne, WV5 8AY, for distribution in accordance with both family wishes. A white cross with bronze tribute plate now marks the site on State Highway 79 where the couple were killed.