The grieving family of a 15-year-old girl who died after taking an unknown substance, reported to have been a blue tablet, has warned of the dangers of drugs as they set up a fundraising appeal to help cover the cost of her funeral.

Shakira Pellow grew up in the Helston area and went to Helston Community College, before moving to Camborne.

She collapsed with friends on Friday evening, before dying in hospital the following morning.

Her elder sister Jessica has now set up a crowdfunding page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/marcus-mckeown-1 to help fundraise £6,000 for funeral costs.

Shakira's mum Rita Hole wrote on Facebook this morning: "I'm asking for your help to bury my baby. She was 15 years of age.

"She died in such tragic circumstances, the pain is like nothing I could have ever imagined.

"She wasn’t all innocent. But she was so naive. Please help with whatever you can. Me and my family will be so grateful."

Her family have used the fundraising page to urge parents and carers to speak to their children about drugs.

They said: "We want to warn children and young people of the dangers surrounding taking drugs. Safeguarding young people is a priority and we ask parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks associated with taking drugs.

"This is a tragic incident and we do not wish for anyone else in our community to have to go through the same ordeal."

They have added: "Shakira Louise Pellow tragically passed away after taking a drug she thought would give her a buzz, never would she have known this would have taken her life. She had her whole life ahead of her.

"This is just heartbreaking and we can't even imagine how we are all going to get through this. Us as a family never prepared for this tragic loss to happen, never did we ever even think about laying Shakira to rest at such a young age.

"We are looking to give her the best send off ever. Us as a family will be grateful of every little penny, we really will."

On Sunday evening her family and friends gathered in Pengegon Park in an area known as "The Courts," where Shakira collapsed, to pay their respects and share their memories.

Shakira had spent Friday evening with friends listening to music in one of their gardens, before heading to the park to meet up with other friends.

It was here that she collapsed, after taking a substance that police are still carrying out tests on to identify.

However, Sid Willett, who works for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Drug and Alcohol Action Team, posted a tweet saying the death was a result of a blue tablet with a 'duplo' logo on it.

Ambulance crews were sent to Meneth Road in Camborne and transferred her to the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Police were notified at around 10.40pm.

Sadly, Shakira's condition worsened and she was subsequently pronounced dead at 10.30am on Saturday.

Two other 15-year-old girls were also taken to hospital, along with a 15-year-old boy. The boy has since been released from hospital and the two girls were expected to be discharged yesterday.

The families of all the children have been supported by police officers and medical staff.

Detective Superintendent Roy Linden said: “This is a truly tragic incident in which a young girl has lost her life. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this terribly difficult time.

“It is believed that all four teenagers were initially hanging around a scrapyard near Tesco, before heading back to the home of one of the teenagers.

“All four have then gone on to Pengegon Park and an area known as ‘The Courts’, which is a well-known area for teenagers to gather. A short time later the 15-year-old girl collapsed and an ambulance was called.

“At this time we would like to speak to anyone who has information in connection with this incident, including anyone who was in the area on Friday evening.

“We want to warn children and young people of the dangers surrounding taking drugs. Safeguarding young people is a priority and we ask parents and carers to speak to their children about the risks associated with taking drugs. This is a tragic incident and we do not wish for anyone else in our community to have to go through the same ordeal.

“We are currently at the beginning of our investigation to establish the facts surrounding this incident."

A 17-year-old boy from Redruth and a 17-year-old boy from Camborne have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug and have both been bailed until August 3, 2018.

Anyone with information that could help police with their enquiries is asked to contact 101@dc.police.uk or phone 101, quoting log number 1187 06/07/18.