THE DEVASTATED family of a teenager who died after being hit by a lorry have thanked the community for coming together in their hour of need.
Paige Bateman, 14, died after the incident on Doncaster Road, Barnsley, last Friday.
She had been walking home with her twin sister Nina and younger sister Emily, and was crossing the road near the junction with Vaal Street.
An investigation is underway.
Masses of floral tributes have been left at the scene and hundreds of friends and relatives gathered at Doncaster Road park on Tuesday to release balloons in memory of Paige.
Many were in tears as a multitude of coloured balloons filled the sky.
Now, almost £5,000 has been raised towards Paige’s funeral through a crowdfunding page with hundreds of donations from friends, family and local businesses.
Paige’s mum Hayley Bateman, 33, and granddad Mick Bateman, told the Chronicle they had been overwhelmed with the amount of support they have received.
They said: “It just shows how popular Paige was. It’s a small, close-knit community and everyone loved her. She was so popular at school.
“We’ve had so many messages on Facebook and cards and flowers from school and from strangers who didn’t even know her. We were so overwhelmed by the amount of people who turned out to the balloon release.
“It is helping us to think that people are thinking about Paige and her family. We’ll get our strength from knowing that Nina and Emily can get through this.
“They will never forget her, but they will get through it and make her proud.”
The fund-raising page has been set up by Amy Besau, who wrote: “Paige Bateman memorial fund has succeeded its target and for that reason the family and I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. No amount of money will ever replace Paige, but the fund will help to ensure Paige gains her wings in the most stylish way.” Hayley said Nina and Emily, 12, had returned to Barnsley Academy, where they are pupils, for a few hours to see their friends.
Paige was described as a popular pupil at the Bank End school where she was excelling in all subjects. Her favourite was history and she had dreamed of becoming a midwife.
Stephen Dixon, principal at Barnsley Academy, said Paige was an exemplary student and that the school was mourning the loss of ‘one of its own’.
A Facebook page has been set up for tributes.
Courtney Shaw wrote: “RIP Paige, gone but never forgotten. Didn’t deserve this gorgeous, big hugs to all your family at this time.”
Ryan O’Hara said: “RIP Paige, gone but never forgotten. Fly high you didn't deserve what happened to you, you were a nice caring girl Xx”
Hayley Bedford added: “So sad. What an age, didn’t have much of life bless her. My love is with the family. RIP, another Angel gone to soon.”
An inquest has been opened and adjourned pending further enquiries.
To donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/amy-besau
