A trust fund will be set up in memory of a 19-year-old who was tragically killed in a car accident last year after thousands of pounds were raised from a sponsored bike ride.

Friends and family members of Katja Hansen, who died in a crash on the B1149 Reepham to Holt Road seven months ago today, took to two wheels for Birdy's Bike Ride today.

Katja's mum Hilary Livsey had organised the event in honour of her daughter and to raise money for a special fund at Reepham High School and College for bursaries and awards for students.

Mrs Livsey hopes the fund, which will be named after Katja, will help students who have the same determination as her daughter who was poised to embark on a gap year before studying medicine at Liverpool Medical School.

Today's ride saw 50 cyclists set off from Gresham's Prep School, where Katja had been a pupil, at 10am and weave their way through the country lanes of north Norfolk, picking up 60 more cyclists in Briston and Wood Dalling.

They finished the 22-mile ride at Reepham High School and College, where Katja had also studied.

The group, which included Katja's mum Hilary Livsey and her four siblings, Lucien, Finn, Cameron and Carina, raised more than £5,000 - enough to make the fund a registered charity.

Mrs Livsey, who runs Angelica florist in Reepham, said: 'I feel very satisfied doing it for Katja. I'm incredibly proud of her and I felt that she was definitely with my children and myself today.

'She did so much work and achieved so much and I am delighted, absolutely delighted it will be a permanent trust in her name, in her honour. It's a legacy for Katja.'

As part of today's event, which was named Birdy after Mrs Livsey's pet-name for her daughter, cyclists donned T-shirts bearing a photo of Katja and posters were put up along the route.

The ride was led by Katja's boyfriend Jimmi Cubitt.

Mrs Livsey said: 'I can't believe how much money we have raised, I'm extremely pleased and happy. People have been so generous and so kind and supportive. I've had donations from people who don't even know me and people were driving past and handing the cyclists £10 donations today. It's amazing.'

Katja died on November 16. She was driving her mother's car back from Holt to Reepham when she went into oncoming traffic and was killed instantly.

Part of the money from the sponsored bike ride will also be used towards a sculpture in Liverpool Medical School.

To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/yimby/birdy19

Are you raising money for a good cause in memory of a loved one? Email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk