A FAMILY business has stepped in to settle a bill sent to a charity for displaying its road safety message on roundabouts.

Transport company C&D South West Ltd has agreed to pay the £1,680 Think Amy is being charged for signs on roundabouts either end of Blackbrook Way, Taunton.

The boards encourage motorists to drive carefully on a stretch of road where 13-year-old Amy Hofmeister was killed by speeding motorists in 2011.

Think Amy was set up by her mother, Jane, to educate drivers about road safety.

They were previously paid for by Somerset County Council’s road safety department, but when it pulled out, the charity was sent a payment demand by Taunton Deane Borough Council.

C&D, a pallet delivery firm with depots in Chard and Blandford Forum, is picking up the annual bill after siblings Lorna, Cayla and Sam Hammond persuaded their father, Darren, to lend his support. All four work for the firm, along with Mr Hammond’s wife, Amanda.

Lorna said: “We were all at Bishop Fox’s School with Amy and her brother Ben when the tragedy happened. It was quite horrible and created a dreadful atmosphere at the school.

“Having that personal connection with Amy and the charity made us want to do something to help.

“We’ve done little bits and made donations over the years since the charity started.”

The company also plans to carry large Think Amy road safety stickers on the back of its 50 vehicles.

“We instil into our drivers to drive carefully and believe it is appropriate to support a charity such as Think Amy,” added Lorna.

Mrs Hofmeister said the boards are being redesigned and will contain the message, ‘Drive safe for life’.

She added: “I’m thrilled that C&D South West has come forward and I want to work closely with them.

“The company’s trucks go far and wide up and down the motorway and will help spread Amy’s story, create road safety awareness and promote the brand.

“I’m very grateful and pleased to be associated with a company that takes its responsibility seriously.”

Liam Harrison, who also went to school with Amy and is friends with her brother Ben, ran the first of 12 marathons in 12 days in Spain on Tuesday to raise more funds for Think Amy.