A community has rallied around the grief-stricken family of a young motorcyclist who was "loved by everyone". Alex Thompson, 18, died in a crash in Brislington last week.
A GoFundMe page was set up by family member Tara Connor, and within four days donations have poured in to help the family. Keynsham teenager Alex was on his way to collect the keys for his new flat when he was involved in a collision near Hicks Gate roundabout on Thursday, June 22.
He has been described by his family as a kind-hearted young boy who “always wore a cheeky smile”. On the GoFundMePage, Tara said the funds raised would “give their loved son and brother a send off he deserves”.
Read next: Heartbroken family's tribute to A4 crash victim who had 'whole life ahead of him'
She said: “As this has come to such a shock and of course totally unexpected, we as a family would love if anyone could help us by donating anything spare in this heart breaking, troubling time.”
The target set was £8,000 and by this morning (Tuesday) the funds raised were already close to £7,000. In an update on the page, Tara said: “We want to say a massive thank you to every single one of you that have donated, it really has blew us away with how amazing it has gone.”
Stay up to date with this story and more by signing up to our daily newsletter
She added that family and friends had gathered to release balloons for Alex, which also had a “massive warming outcome”. She said: “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all so much."
Avon and Somerset Police said that last Thursday, emergency services were called to the scene of the collision at approximately 3.45pm. They have appealed for witnesses for information.
A police spokesperson said: “We continue to appeal for your help as we investigate this tragedy. If you were travelling on the A4 Bath Road and witnessed the incident, have dashcam footage or saw either a Yamaha motorcycle or a blue Vauxhall Crossland in the time leading up to the collision, please contact us.”
In a statement previously issued through the police, Alex’s family said: “He was loved by everyone who he crossed paths with. He made a massive impact in just 18 short years of his life and we have so much support from everyone who knew him at such a difficult time.
“He had his whole life ahead of him, he was on his way to pick up keys to his first flat. He will forever make us proud.”
