Cassie McCord's family support service which tried to save her life

Colchester student Cassie McCord, 16, was killed when Colin Horsfall’s car swerved onto the pavement and hit her.

Mr Horsfall, 87, died of his injuries three months later.

Police had started the process of having his licence revoked after he was involved in an accident days before the tragedy in 2011 but he refused to give up his licence.

The Gazette supported Cassie’s mother, Jackie, in collecting 46,000 signatures on a petition to change the law.

Cassie’s Law was introduced in 2013 to give police the powers to fast track an application to revoke a motorist’s licence with the DVLA if they believe they are unfit to drive.

It has been credited with saving hundreds of lives.

Jackie is now fundraising for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, which helped Cassie get to hospital.

She said: “We are taking part in a Nuclear Mud Race in Brentwood.

“I’s a 7k run with obstacles.

“There are 13 of us running, including my son, Sam, and we are calling ourselves the Flyers as we are running for the air ambulance.

“We are feeling nervous, but I’m excited and it looks like a lot of fun.”

READ MORE: TRIBUTES PAID TO SIXTH FORM STUDENT CASSIE

Cassie’s brother Sam, 26, has set up a Just Giving page to raise funds.

Mrs McCord added: “Without the air ambulance we wouldn’t have been able to say our goodbyes as they wouldn’t have been able to put her on life support.

“Without them airlifting her she would have died in the ambulance and her organs would not have been able to be used for donation.”

It has been seven years since Cassie died, but her family still thinks about her every day.

Jackie said: “Once you have a child they are always your child.

“I think about her every day and that will never change.

“It’s tough but life goes on and you just have to get on with it, and that’s what we are doing.”

To donate to the Flyers click here.

READ MORE: SIGN UP TO CASSIE'S LAW TO SAVE US FROM UNFIT DRIVERS