Heartbreaking images of Herald AM hit-and-run victim Aline Barros showing her bravery can now be seen on YouTube.

Footage of Aline showing her as a vibrant and active young woman even as she makes her recovery in her wheelchair and hospital bed has received almost 2,500 hits on the website.

Aline (26) has been in the Mater Hospital in Dublin since July when she sustained serious spinal injuries on the way to work.

The student and Herald AM worker was left paralysed from the waist down after being knocked from her bike by a truck.

Despite being in hospital in a foreign country without her family, Aline is showing enormous strength as she deals with her situation.

Images of the beautiful Brazilian girl show her happily interacting with the camera and the people around her.

Since the accident, Aline has shown extreme courage and she is seen on the website smiling and keeping up a brave face.

Hearts

Aline's story has captured the hearts of Dubliners who would have picked up their copy of Herald AM from the happy Brazilian girl.

She has made great friends with the nursing staff at the Mater hospital and the YouTube images show her hugging and kissing the carers.

Aline is showing great patience and strength while she undergoes the interminable wait for a bed in Dun Laoghaire National Rehabilitation Centre.

"She's making slow but steady progress -- she's still in the Mater," said one of her friends yesterday.

"There's been a delay. There may be no bed for her (in Dun Laoghaire), we don't know," added the friend.

Aline is looking forward to getting into the rehabilitation hospital so that she can make a good recovery.

"She's slightly disappointed that she hasn't got into Dun Laoghaire.

"The doctors told her she was 99pc paralysed but she said that she is banking on God and the 1pc to save her," said Leixlip town councillor Sean Purcell.

"Every night two or three members of the Brazilian community living here are going in to visit her but her family cannot afford to travel to Ireland to be with Aline."

"There's quite a line of visitors waiting," added Aline's friend.

Rehab

Brave young Aline is from a very poor part of Brazil and it is hoped that money can be raised for her to use for her future career and rehabilitation in Ireland and Brazil.

It is also hoped that money can be raised for her distraught family to come over to Ireland to see their dear Aline.

If you would like to help support Aline Barros, you can make a donation to AIB's Aline Noguiera de Barros account 07636182, sort code 93-32-95.

- Geraldine Gittens