Every member of the critical care team that battled to save a young woman whose life was cut short after she took an unknown substance at a music festival have been affected by the “tragic loss”.

Amy Vigus, 20, was rushed to Colchester General Hospital after taking what she thought was the party drug MDMA at the Elrow Town music event in London.

She died on August 21 in the hospital’s intensive care unit after collapsing at her home in Colchester where her parents were forced to perform CPR on their daughter.

Her grief-stricken, but brave family posted a video just days later to raise awareness about the dangers of taking drugs in the hope of making others think twice about the devastation they cause.

The video, entitled Our Amy, has been viewed nearly three million times since it was uploaded on Facebook and has attracted national attention.

A JustGiving page was also launched to raise money for the Colchester Hospitals Charity to show the family’s gratitude for the “amazing” care given to Amy.

So far more than £4,200 has been raised - the inital target was £500 - with nearly 200 people donating to the cause.

Jane Murphy, matron for critical care at Colchester General Hospital, said: “Working within the intensive care environment can be an emotional roller coaster and it was with great sadness we were unable to prevent the loss of Amy.

“Every single staff member has been affected by this tragic loss. It was clear she was very much loved and it was heart-breaking to experience the family’s devastation.

“We feel it is incredibly brave of the family to produce the video in order to try to prevent another family going through what they are tragically going through.

“It is also immensely generous of them to raise money for the critical care unit at what is clearly a very difficult time for them.”

In a post on Facebook this week, Amy’s family said the staff were “true heroes in her final hours” and they will support the hospital “indefinitely”.

The post added: “We will continue to spread Our Amy’s story in the hope that it helps even one person.

“Please feel free to use the video in schools or anyway which you feel will have a positive influence.”

No decisions have yet been made on what the money will be spent on.

Family’s thanks for support at their ‘darkest time’

Amy’s family have thanked the public for countless messages of support at their “darkest time”.

A post on the Our Amy Facebook page said: “Thank you so much to everybody. Thank you for watching and sharing the video to help spread awareness of Amy’s tragic story. Thank you for donating to the Colchester General Hospital JustGiving page, who were true heroes in Amy’s final hours. Most of all thank you for the lovely words of support. We as a family continue to read all of the supportive comments that have bought us such comfort at our darkest time.”

The post also mentions a close friend of Amy’s, referred to only as Joe, is set to climb Mount Agung, in Bali in her memory.

It said: “Within the past few weeks, Joe and Amy had discussed the possibility of climbing a volcano. Now Joe will undertake this challenge on his own, in honour and memory of Amy.”

To donate to the hospital, or support Joe, visit the page