Christmas will never be the same for the family of Norwich mother Kerri McAuley since her brutal death.

Eastern Daily Press: Friends and family of Kerri McAuley help launch the 'Kerri's Campaign' to raise £10K for Leeway. Picture: Nick ButcherFriends and family of Kerri McAuley help launch the 'Kerri's Campaign' to raise £10K for Leeway. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

But as they continue to deal with their loss, a timely piece of good news has given them a lift.

For we can today announce that Kerri's Campaign has broken through its £10,000 target - meaning Leeway's new domestic violence safe house will be kitted out.

Kerri's mum Lesley's reaction was emotion-charged: 'I could cry, I'm so proud.'

We vowed to raise the money to help others like Kerri, who was killed on January 8 this year.

Eastern Daily Press: Bucket collection for Kerri's Campaign by Tony White and Paul Roberts at the Lowestoft Town fixture against Harlow. Kerri McAuley's brother Rory, plays for Lowestoft Town. Picture: Nick ButcherBucket collection for Kerri's Campaign by Tony White and Paul Roberts at the Lowestoft Town fixture against Harlow. Kerri McAuley's brother Rory, plays for Lowestoft Town. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant � 2017)

The 32-year-old suffered 19 injuries to her head and face following a 'sustained and brutal' attack by her former partner and serial abuser Joe Storey, who then left her to die alone in her Norwich home.

And now, just over a month after Kerri's Campaign was launched we have not only reached the £10,000 target, but have burst through the £11,000 mark too with a£11,604.97 having been raised by Christmas Day.

Lesley, who has recently undergone a triple heart bypass operation, said: 'It's amazing, absolutely amazing. It's so brilliant, it really is.

'I'm really pleased with how the campaign has gone - I'm shocked that it's raised so much so quickly. It's done really, really well - all these people out there with big hearts it just makes me feel so proud really.'

Eastern Daily Press: Bucket collection for Kerri's Campaign by Tony White and Paul Roberts at the Lowestoft Town fixture against Harlow. Kerri McAuley's brother Rory, plays for Lowestoft Town. Picture: Nick ButcherBucket collection for Kerri's Campaign by Tony White and Paul Roberts at the Lowestoft Town fixture against Harlow. Kerri McAuley's brother Rory, plays for Lowestoft Town. Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

She said the campaign had kept her going, adding: 'It's kept my daughter alive, it's kept my daughter going and kept her memory alive.

'I'm so happy about it all, if I can feel happy about it at this time, it just keeps me warm.'

Lesley said she 'probably wouldn't be here' were it not for the campaign and the support of family, friends and even complete strangers over the past weeks and months.

'The support has been fantastic, it really has. 'ust to know that there's so many people out there with such big hearts.

Eastern Daily Press: Kerri McAuley's mother, Lesley, left, and extensions stylist, Annie Reilly, ready with hair extensions as the prize for a raffle they are drawing in aid of Kerri's Campaign. Picture: DENISE BRADLEYKerri McAuley's mother, Lesley, left, and extensions stylist, Annie Reilly, ready with hair extensions as the prize for a raffle they are drawing in aid of Kerri's Campaign. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

'In this day and age you get to a point where you think is there anyone out there that's got that space in their hearts...and they have, there's a lot of them.'

Those incredible efforts have given Kerri's family something to smile about over a very difficult Christmas as they head towards the anniversary of her death, a day Lesley said would be the 'worst day of my life'.