The fundraiser for the funeral of a boy killed in a hit-and-run has now topped more than £15,000 – only a day after it was set up.

Seven-year-old William Brown died after being struck by a car in Sandgate, near Folkestone, while fetching his football on Wednesday evening (December 6).

The youngster’s grieving family had hoped to raise more than £10,000 to help “give him the send-off he truly deserves” but have since beaten that target thanks to the help of hundreds of people.

William’s mother Laura Brown launched the GoFundMe yesterday morning (December 9) and within eight hours had already reached around £11,000.

Their goal has been topped again as a further £4,000 has been raised – bringing the total to more than £15,000 in just over 24 hours. You can donate here if you wish.

Writing on the page, Mrs Brown said: “Thank you for all your support. We all feel it in our hearts.

“Whilst this tragedy is incomprehensible to us all, we need to do what William always did, see the positive.

“That positive is that we are so grateful for the seven glorious years we had with him. It was nothing but a privilege.

“Therefore, we ask that you help us in giving him the send-off he truly deserves.

“Please all share William's love and kindness, let's try and make planet Earth as joyous as his beautiful kind eyes saw it. Let's all take a moment to be kind to each other.”

KentOnline reported yesterday how William’s father had written to MP Damian Collins in the hope of ensuring the graveyard at the Church of St Mary and St Eanswyth, in Folkestone, can be his son’s final resting place.

William Snr said his son went to St Eanswythe's school and found “peace” at the neighbouring site, where he would often go after classes.

In a letter, he wrote: “After school every day it was a struggle to get him out of the graveyard, collecting conkers and picking wild garlic.

“Our desire is to have William buried within the grounds. William loved digging holes and being a part of the earth. My son told me when he was digging that hole with me he felt safe underground. We need him where he wanted to be.”

The grieving dad added: “I am really struggling, we all are. I cannot begin to explain the pain. I am trying to use the energy I have to sort my son the best send-off and burial he would have wanted.”

Mr Brown said he was happy to arrange everything himself.

“I can arrange and pay for everything even down to the hole, I will dig it myself,” he added. “I am asking you to sort this out for me as a father. This would be William’s last wish. Please speak to whoever you need to and please make this happen.”

In an emotional video, William’s mum said the graveyard was his “favourite place”.

She said: “It was a place he absolutely loved, close to his school… the children will walk past him every day and be with him, close to his heart.”

Folkestone and Hythe District Council, which owns the site, said no one has been buried there for many years, but it will look into the request and Mr Collins also said he has made “urgent inquiries”.

Speaking to KentOnline, Mr Brown said the local authority will give them an update tomorrow (December 11).

Police officers said the fatal crash earlier this week involved two vehicles – a grey Peugeot van and a red Citroen car.

The van is said to have left the scene in the direction of Hythe, before the arrival of the emergency services.

Medics tried to resuscitate William for 40 minutes but were unable to save his life and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man was arrested in Dymchurch on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, causing death by careless driving, failing to stop at the scene of a collision and perverting the course of justice.

He has now been released on bail until March 6.

William’s devastated dad, who had watched on helplessly during the CPR efforts, described his son as a “gentle” and “wonderful child”.

Mr Brown added: “He was so excited about Christmas. My boy was a kind and pure soul. There are no other words for it. He was liked by everybody – everybody loved him.

“He was just full of life, laughter, love. He was always smiling. He had so much energy and it was just infectious, the spirit that he brought.”

St Mary and St Eanswythe Church is inviting the public to sign a book of condolences at the site, and light a candle in memory of William for the next week during specific times.

The hours are: 9am to 10am on Monday and Tuesday, 11am to 1pm Wednesday to Saturday and 9.30am to 10.30am on Sunday.