An appeal has been launched to raise funds for the funeral of a much-loved 16-year-old girl who died in a horror car crash.

Alisha Marie Ponter died on February 24 after the Toyota Hilux she was a passenger in collided with a road barrier and overturned on the A249 near Maidstone.

It is understood paramedics spent more than an hour trying to save Alisha’s life following the incident – but she died at the scene.

Family friend Jo Harber has since started a Gofundme appeal in the hope of raising £7,000 to go towards the funeral and a headstone.

In a post on the fundraising page, she said: “Alisha was just 16, she had her whole life ahead of her [and] had her life robbed from her in the most awful way.

“Alisha was a beautiful, kind, funny little sparkler.

“Her mum, stepdad, dad, brothers and sisters are completely heartbroken at losing Alisha.

“[She] deserves the very best… the best funeral and headstone.

“Please donate whatever you can and please, please share.”

Since being created yesterday (March 3), the appeal has raised more than £1,000 from 42 donations.

The crash happened on the Sheppey-bound carriageway of the A249 by the Stockbury roundabout and Church Hill, between Maidstone and Sittingbourne.

A boy, believed to be 15, was taken to a London hospital with serious injuries, while a 17-year-old boy suffered minor injuries.

The older boy was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and later bailed to return to the police station on May 20.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the former Folkestone Academy pupil’s devastated dad paid tribute to his “one-of-a-kind” daughter.

Luke Ponter told KentOnline: “She was very bubbly and a one-of-a-kind.

“She was very dependable and was just beautiful.

“She loved getting her fake tan done, eyelashes, and nails - she absolutely loved a sunbed. Alisha loved beauty stuff and was just about to have work experience in a beauty shop.

“She had an amazing personality.”

Mr Ponter says he heard about the crash through Alisha’s mum, Cody Marie Hobman.

Alisha’s mother paid tribute after her eldest child’s death, saying: "My princess, now the most beautiful angel in the sky.

"Oh Alisha my heart's hurting. I’m praying I wake up and it’s the biggest dream ever, but sadly I know I’ll never see your beautiful face again after we’ve laid you to rest.

"Oh baby girl - what we would give to hold you one last time.

"Time is so precious as proven [and] you was taken from us far too early.

"You had your whole life ahead of you."