The heartbroken parents of Donna Mitchell have paid tribute to their "beautiful princess".

Don and Vinny Mitchell say their 26-year-old daughter, who died in a road accident in Bedminster at the weekend, was a "bubbly, lovely girl who lived for today".

Mr and Mrs Mitchell say Donna, who worked as a home carer for elderly people, had "packed more into her life than most people would in a lifetime".

Surrounded by hundreds of sympathy cards at their home in Creswicke Road, Knowle West, the couple said yesterday that they had been overwhelmed by kind messages.

Dozens of floral tributes have been left by Donna's friends and relatives at the scene of a collision which claimed her life.

Candles and photographs of Donna, mother to eight-year-old Chloe, were left at the spot near the junction of Bedminster Down Road and Winterstoke Road where her Rover ZR160 car hit a wall in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Foster carer Mrs Mitchell, 56, said the Knowle West community had pulled together to support the family following their loss and two fundraising events had already been organised to collect money for Chloe.

Of Donna, who lived around the corner from her parents and was nicknamed Doods, she said: "She was always beautiful, even as a baby growing up, with her long blonde hair.

"She was popular and always wanted to be the centre of attention. She always got that because she was so pretty – she always got noticed.

"She lived for today and it was a case of 'never mind tomorrow'. If you gave her £100,000 today, she would have spent it by tomorrow if she could.

"She loved dancing, loved music, clubbing and parties and adored her little girl, who was born two days before her 18th birthday."

Mr Mitchell said that as a celebration of Donna's love for partying and clubbing, her friends have been asked to wear bright party clothes to her funeral on April 17.

The building and maintenance worker, 59, said Donna, sister to Lee, 30, would sometimes organise parties at their home while they were away.

He said: "She used to call our house Club Mitch's. It was a bit cheeky but as long as there wasn't any damage, we didn't mind. She was our baby girl and was adored by everyone she met. She was a stunning lady.

"The support from friends, family and the community has been overwhelming. To think she was that well-liked beggars belief.

"A Facebook page has been set up to remember Donna and that's attracted thousands of hits and hundreds of messages."

Knowle shopkeeper Mike Smith, 45, whose son Michael-John was a close friend of former Hengrove School pupil Donna, has helped organised two fundraising events for Chloe.

A sponsored run in fancy dress from Filwood Social Club to the scene of the accident in Bedminster was due to take place today at 6pm. Those taking part will wear pyjamas and pink T-shirts emblazoned with a photograph of Donna. They plan to stop off at several pubs collecting money. A fundraising day in memory of Donna will then be held at the club on Sunday from 1pm and will feature a disco, barbecue, children's entertainment, a raffle and an auction

Donna's funeral will take place at South Bristol Crematorium at 12.30pm next Friday - April 17 - and all are invited. Flowers are welcome, as are donations for Chloe or Frenchay Hospital, where Donna was treated. The funeral service will be followed by a gathering at the Christ the King Club, Filwood.