FOLLOWING the tragic death of Barry teen Morgan Ackerman the community has rallied around in support of his heartbroken family.

The 16-year-old died last Wednesday following a collision with a taxi.

The incident, involving a white Skoda Octavia taxi around 10.30pm on Tuesday January 3, occurred on Barry Road, opposite the junction with Llewellyn Street.

Floral and candle tributes have since been laid near the scene by friends, family, and residents, with a fundraising page set up in his honour.

Last night (January 11) it was just £300 shy of its £4,000 target.

In tribute to him his family said in a statement he had an "infectious personality" and would be "missed by everybody whose life he touched".

The family added: "Morgan, or ‘Morgie’, as he was known to his family, was such a wonderful boy.

"He was loved by absolutely everybody who knew him and he touched so many people with his infectious personality.

"He was always joking and always saw the best in every situation.

“It is not an understatement to say he was life and soul of wherever he was and he loved to make people smile.

"He would constantly tease his older sister Elle by winding her up, but then would always make her laugh afterwards.

“Morgie was such a caring young man, and to give an example, he recently treated the whole family for a breakfast on his wages from his part time job - that was the type of boy he was. He was so giving and thoughtful and we’d almost go as far as to say a ‘mummy’s boy’.

“He was so loved by all of his family and friends and he has left such a massive hole in everybody’s heart.

"He is going to missed by everybody whose life he touched in his 16 years in this world.”

The Churches of Barry are also inviting people to sign a book of condolences for Morgan.

St Mary's Church, in Holton Road, will open from 6.30pm to 8.30pm tomorrow (Friday, January 13).

The Glamorgan Suite, at Cardiff & Vale College, in Colcot Road, is also contributing toward the fundraising in Morgan's memory.

A fundraising dinner for the Morgan Ackerman Fund will take place at 7pm today (Thursday, January 12). Call 01446 742365 to book a table. Tickets cost £20 a head.

Officers would like to speak to anybody who witnessed the collision last Tuesday, who saw a group of male pedestrians prior to the collision walking along Barry Road, or who stopped to provide assistance.

They would also like to speak with anybody who may have seen the vehicle being driven prior to the collision and who have not yet given their details.

Call the South Wales Police serious collision investigation unit on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Quote ref 1700003606.

Donations to the Morgan Ackerman Fund can also be made at the Glamorgan Suite or via https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/theglamorgan-suite?utm_term=WQkmayyZe