Award-winning film charts Shrewsbury 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, when they were killed as they walked along Robertson Way in Shrewsbury in 2006.

Mrs Piggott, who was nine months pregnant and had gone to pick up Simon from school, was due to have been induced the day after she died.

Sophie, now 20, says she was determined to see her film "26" – named after the day her mother and brother died – through to the end to be 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 Steve speaks eloquently about how he first met his wife and the birth of his children against the backdrop of old home videos before recalling the devastating moment he cradled his stillborn son Sullivan, a 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 Sarah 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 mum and brother in home movie clips – from christenings to parties and days out.

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," he says. And he reveals that when his youngest child has gone to university he plans to travel the world on his motorbike.

"I would encourage anyone, if they have a dream, follow it."

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

Sophie added: "I invited about 20-30 back at home in a little studio, my dad just said he was immensely proud. It was a very emotional night and there were tears all round but this, ultimately, was what I hoped to achieve.

"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 Piggott and Sarah were married for 22 years before the accident. The family home remains in Judith Butts Lane, Monkmoor, Shrewsbury.

In 2007 a pub manager from Shrewsbury was convicted of driving without due care and attention following the accident. Christopher Ballantyne, who ran The Boat House pub, New Street, Shrewsbury, had denied the charge, but was fined £1,000 and disqualified from driving for 12 months.

• Visit Sophie Piggott's channel on Vimeo