Katherine Lesley Dunning was hit as she crossed the Graham Way, in Seaham, and died later at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

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Her devastated family today paid tribute to the "fun-loving" teen.

The 14-year-old, from Portland Avenue, Deneside, had been recognised for her work caring for her sister Rachel and other disabled children.

Last month, she picked up one of the two Jenni Sowerby Young Carer awards at Seaham School of Technology's annual awards evening and was
praised by the charity Barnardo's for her dedication.

Her mother Maureen has described her daughter as: "A beautiful, caring, fun-loving girl who loved life and was a pleasure to know".

She added her family were devastated at the loss of "a popular, wonderful young lady."

Headteacher David Shield also paid tribute to the Year 10 pupil.
He said: "Katherine was a quiet young lady who was extremely pleasant and helpful.

"She was popular and always worked hard without any fuss.

"Katherine was a young carer and spent much of her time looking after her younger sister.

"In school she was kind to everybody and always went out of her way to help others.

"She will be a great loss and our thoughts go out to her friends and family at this tragic time."

Many of Katherine's fellow pupils were told the news yesterday morning as they started classes and the school has arranged support for her friends.

Katherine was a member of Barnado's young carers' inclusion project and was involved with the charity for five years.

Staff, who worked with her in group and in one-to-one sessions, have been left upset by her sudden death.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: "She was one of the most caring and thoughtful young people you could meet and very enthusiastic in all she did.

"Katherine had a great love of adventure and would try anything.

"At the last young carers' trip she tried quad biking and canoeing.

"She will be greatly missed for her sense of fun, love of life and optimism for the future.

"She was incredibly well liked and a lot of our young carers are going to be extremely upset when they hear this news.

"She was very, very popular."

In addition to her mother and Rachel, who is primary school age, she also left another sister, Rebecca, and brother, Stephen.

The accident happened shortly before 7.30pm on Sunday, 300metres from the roundabout with The Avenue, Strangford Road and New Strangford Road.

A Renault Clio, which was being driven by a 40-year-old Seaham man, had been heading towards the town centre when it struck her.

It is believed her male friend had begun to cross the road first and she followed behind.

Accident investigators are continuing to carry out inquiries and have appealed for any witnesses to get in contact with officers, tel: 375 2159.

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