The family of a teenager killed after a horror crash in Bearsted are aiming to raise £20,000 for his funeral - and to give him and his late sister matching headstones.

Popular Brett Pearson, 19, died in hospital two days after his 18-year-old cousin Gary Ring was killed in the smash on the A20 Ashford Road.

Now an online appeal has been launched for Mr Pearson, whose sister died suddenly eight years ago aged just 12.

Any money left after the funeral and matching headstones are paid for will be donated to the Kent Air Ambulance and King's College Hospital in London.

His step-mother Laura King posted: "I am appealing to everyone for their help to pay for my step-son Brett's funeral and for matching headstones for him and his sister who died suddenly eight years ago.

"A week ago my step-son Brett and his cousin were in a tragic car accident. His cousin was declared dead at the scene. Brett was put on a life support machine and airlifted to King's College Hospital.

"Our family is distraught. We are asking for the help of everyone to give him a good send off. We would also like to get him and his sister matching headstones..." - Brett Pearson's step-mother Laura King

"Brett spent two days in critical condition fighting for his life on the life support machine. He had to have an operation to release the pressure on his brain.

"Brett's mum, dad, brothers, sister, myself and his girlfriend all gathered there to support each other and help him fight this horrific ordeal.

"Brett lost his fight and we all lost a wonderful, fun, loving, happy son, brother, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend.

"He loved to sing and dance. He was a good young lad whom helped to raise his girlfriend's daughter. He loved his family and friends and we all miss and love him very much.

"Eight years ago they all lost my partner's daughter at the age of 12 and now his son age 19.

"Our family is distraught. We are asking for the help of everyone to give him a good send off. We would also like to get him and his sister matching headstones.

"Please donate as much as you can so my young stepchildren can rest in peace. Thank you."

The appeal - Brett's Funeral Fund on the Go Fund Me website - has already raised several hundred pounds.

Mr Ring died instantly after his Ford Ka left the road and flipped on to its roof before smashing into a lamppost.

His passenger Mr Pearson, who was described as cheeky and kind by friends, was rushed to King's College Hospital with head and chest injuries in the early hours of last Saturday morning.

But he lost his fight for life in the London hospital two days later on Monday afternoon.

Mr Pearson's mother, Kelly Pearson, earlier paid an emotional tribute to her son and nephew.

She said: "You both touched the hearts of many people.

"Gary I will always love, think of and remember you. Brett, today our bodies parted but our soul, love, mother and son hearts will always remain together. Never forgotten and always missed."

Keen motorcyclist Mr Pearsontt was a former student of Furness School in Swanley, which educates pupils with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

Mr Ring's mother Tammy Batten also left a tribute to her son, a former pupil at New Line Learning Academy in Boughton Lane, Loose: "To my darling son Gary, you were taken from me too soon, my heart is broken.

"You will never... be forgotten, all my love babe. Be good up there."

Floral tributes have been laid at the scene along with candles and messages of condolence.

Hundreds of mourners also took to social networking site Facebook to honour the pair, described as having "hearts of gold".

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the fatal crash, which happened at just after 2.15am on Saturday, January 25.

The car hit a lamppost opposite a horseshoe of houses in Lilk Hill, on the Maidstone-bound carriageway between Otham Lane and Spot Lane.

It is around 50 metres away from the point at which the speed limit reduces from the national speed limit to a 30mph zone. No other vehicles were involved.

Anyone with any information is asked to phone then dedicated Serious Collision Investigation Unit appeal line on 01622 798538.

To donate to the funeral fund for Brett Pearson, click here.

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