Friends of a “kind-hearted” aspiring teacher killed in a bike accident in Australia are hoping to raise enough money to lay their friend to rest in England.

Bryony Bonekyn, 21, who grew up in Nursery Street, Tottenham, died when the bike hit a stream and rolled on top of her at the beach in Queensland, Northern Australia, on Saturday.

A fundraising page was set up in honour of the sociable 21-year-old, who was living in Enfield before travelling to Sri Lanka to volunteer at an Elephant Sanctuary for six weeks and then onto Australia, to help pay for Ms Bonekyn’s parents’ to bring their daughter home and cover funeral costs.

The former pupil of Lancasterian Primary School, in Kings Road, Tottenham, hoped to follow in her mother, Carol, footsteps as a schoolteacher, who had retired from the primary school after 20 years.

“She the kind of person people enjoyed talking to and being around. That was because she was bubbly and liked talking to other people.” Her father Bill said.

“But had serious ideas and views about the world as well. She was concerned about the world she lived in as well as being joyful and playful.

“As a child she was all you could ever ask for. Bryony was the youngest of the four and was the apple of our eyes.

“She could charm you and melt your heart.”

The JustGiving page had an initial target of £5,000 but has so far blitzed the first marker and seen people donate £9,370, as of today.

However, friends have said more money needs to be raised to help the parents lay their daughter to rest and hold a funeral back home.

A high-achiever, the 21-year-old attended Park View secondary school, in West Green Road, Tottenham, before doing her a-levels at Woodhouse College and was due to study for an English literature degree at University of Brighton in September.

Alen Duvarciyan, her secondary school English teacher said: "Bryony was a fantastic student and a role model to her peers, she was so enthusiastic towards her studies. Teaching her was amazing - you could never shout at her as she'd just smile at you. A great privilege to have taught such a wonderful person."

Her drama teacher Chris Lancaster told the Haringey Independent: "Bryony was a ray of sunshine at Park View.

“She was an intelligent, articulate and kind-hearted girl who brought people together and contributed greatly to the wider life of the school beyond the classroom.

“She was as likely to recommend a book to a teacher as the other way round. In her Drama lessons she had the emotional maturity and sensitivity to be able to move an audience to tears, and she performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at just 16. She will be greatly missed."

She has been described by her friends as a “bookworm” and “an amazing cook”.

A statement added: "Bryony was a free spirited individual who was full of life. She brought so much light, love and laughter into this world. She will be missed by all who knew her, and we always carry her heart with us."

On Facebook, her brother Ben posted: “The events of today have left a hole that will never be refilled. Rest in peace my beautiful little sister Bryony Bonekyn.”

The family flew out to Australia today in order to identify her daughter.

To help raise money, please donate to https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/ashley-burrows