A MEMORIAL fund has been set up by the family of 19-year-old Xana Doyle.

The fund will pay for a memorial bench for the teenager, who died from head injuries following a crash on Usk Way on January 9.

Her mother Emma O’Donoghue said: “I have set up a memorial page for Xana on Facebook as I have been inundated with messages asking about donations in her name. The fund will be used to purchase a memorial bench and any surplus will be donated to a local charity, to be decided at a later date.”

Miss Doyle, from Newport, had recently begun working at Wetherspoons as a cook and was also a trained beautician after completing an apprenticeship.

Her mother previously described her as the “life and soul of everything”, adding: “Xana was a funny, kind and loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend.

“She was never without a smile, a kind word or injection of fun to the people she met.”

Her funeral will take place at Newport Cathedral on Thursday, January 29 at 2pm followed by St Woolos Cemetery at 3.30pm.

The family request that mourners wear traditional funeral dress with a red accessory, marking Miss Doyle’s favourite colour.

A 22-year-old man has appeared in court charged with causing the death of Miss Doyle by dangerous driving. Sakhawat Ali, of Harrow Road, Newport, has been charged with four allegations including aggravated unlawful taking of a vehicle, driving without insurance, driving under the influence of alcohol and causing death by dangerous driving on January 9.

Details on how to donate to the fund can be found on facebook by searching ‘Xana Doyle Memorial Fund’.