A 16-year-old girl who died following a crash on the M73 has been described as "the sweetest, most caring person" by her loved ones.
Sophie Laing tragically passed away after being involved in a collision on January 28 that also left a 62-year-old male driver injured.
The teenager from Cumbernauld had recently started a hairdressing course at New College Lanarkshire.
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Sophie's cousin Allan has now launched a fundraiser to help pay for her funeral and relieve the family of the 'financial burden' of paying for the send-off.
Over £3,000 has been raised in less than 24 hours with touching tributes left for the teenager.
Allan said: "Our family are heartbroken. To lose any loved one suddenly, unexpectedly, and in such a manner is incomprehensible but Sophie was only 16 years old with a full life ahead of her. Something completely unimaginable to us all.
"Sophie was from Cumbernauld, attended Greenfaulds High School and recently started a course in hairdressing at New College Lanarkshire (Cumbernauld College). Something she was very passionate about. She was the sweetest, most caring person who loved nothing more than caring for her family and spending time with her niece, family and her friends.
"She loved all types of music, from Westlife to club music and no matter what it was, she would have it blaring through a speaker throughout the house so everyone could hear it whether they liked it or not.
"She had a heart of gold, always putting everyone else's needs before her own and life would have been boring without her"
He added: "It's heart-wrenching to know that Sophie won't be able to celebrate big birthday milestones, be able to walk down the aisle to get married or even be able to have her first child as she gets older.
"With this GoFundMe page, I'm trying to raise any donations for the family to be able to give this beautiful and innocent girl the send-off she undoubtedly deserves if it's the last thing we can do for her. This will help relieve the family of some of the financial burden that comes along with planning a funeral.
"From the bottom of our family's hearts, thank you for all the support, messages and words of comfort at this very upsetting time."
Among those who donated money was bus driver Gerry Hughes who said "Sophie was my friend and passenger on my bus she will be sorely missed."
Family friend Annette Florence added: "I've been friends with her gran, mum for years & seen her grow up. When she was little. I always got hugs even when I had not seen her for ages."
To donate to the fundraiser, click here.
Police have urged anyone with information on the crash to contact them.
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