A FUNDRAISER has been set up to raise money to support the family of a popular 17-year-old who is fighting for her life in hospital.

Essex Police were called to Barrack Street, Colchester, at about 2.15am on Sunday to reports a pedestrian had been hit by a car.

The victim, Monkwick teenager Alliyah Bell, was rushed to hospital in a life-threatening condition and has since been transferred to Addenbrooke’s in Cambridge for specialist care.

Her friends and family are rallying behind mum Jo and dad Kirk, who are having put their lives on hold to be by her side in hospital.

Megan Smith, Alliyah’s sister-in-law, said: “She is in a very bad way and she is in a coma at the moment.

“It is hard to say what is going on because we do not know what is going to happen day to day.

“The doctors say they are taking things hour by hour.

“She has quite a bit of damage to her brain, which is obviously concerning.”

Jo and Kirk are unable to work at the moment and are having to fork out from their own pocket to be near their daughter.

Megan said: “You have to apply to stay in the free accommodation and obviously it is a very busy hospital so they can’t always have it.

“We are in Colchester whilst they are there and it is very difficult.

“We do not know how long this is going to go on for, but the doctors have said her recovery will be a long process.”

Alliyah, a former Thomas Lord Audley School student, was due to start a beauty course at college on Thursday.

Megan said: “Everyone who knows her loves Alliyah.

“She has a fun and crazy personality and it is such a shame this has happened to her.

“She and her family are the nicest people I have ever met and they do not deserve this.

“I am pregnant and due in three weeks and she was so excited to meet her new nephew, but she will miss it now.

“She is already like best friends with my daughter Laila.”

Gazette: Family - Alliyah Bell with niece Laila, fiveFamily - Alliyah Bell with niece Laila, five

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Megan originally set out to raise £1,000 but smashed through the target in just over a day.

She hopes to now raise hundreds more to help the family in the tough months which lay ahead.

She said: “I really didn’t expect to raise as much so quickly so I am so grateful.”

A 34-year-old man from Colchester who was arrested following the collision has been released under investigation while police continue their enquiries.

Donate at gofundme.com/f/for-beautiful-alliyah.