Tributes paid to teenage girl who passed away after contracting the flu

Tributes are being paid to a teenager girl who passed away after contracting the flu.

Melissa Whiteley fell ill on Christmas day suffering from sepsis, pneumonia, flu, and a rare fungal infection that attacked her lungs. The 18-year-old passed away on January 27 in a hospital in Leicester surrounded by her immediate family, loved ones, and her twin Megan. A Just Giving page has been set up by a friend of Melissa's family, Debbie Pepper, to raise some money for the "beautiful, courageous, young lady." She wrote:

"Mel was a precious daughter, a loving twin sister, an amazing girlfriend and a friend forever to so many.

"She was a very brave and strong young lady, who fought for her life but sadly was taken from her family and friends far too soon, leaving her loving and caring family totally broken.

"Mel will never be forgotten and no one can ever replace her."

The money raised for Melissa will go towards paying for her funeral and to "... ease the pain of a family who have already suffered so much and as friends we want to take away some of their worry."

"Please if you could spare a small donation for her family, to help make sure this beautiful girl, both inside and out, gets the send off she deserves and the family get to say goodbye without the worries and stress that no parent should ever have to bear."

So far, Melissa's campaign has raised just over £3,000 of its £10,000 target. Images via Just Giving.