Police Constable Simon Schembri is in intensive care after being hit by a vehicle and dragged several metres along the road.

A fundraising campaign to collect money for the police officer grievously injured in a hit-and-run incident and which had already raised more than €3,500 in 15 hours was halted on Thursday at the family’s request.

Police Constable Simon Schembri, a father of three, is in intensive care after being dragged several metres along the road when he was hit by a vehicle being driven by a 17-year-old.

Liam Debono has been charged with his attempted murder and was remanded in custody.

While thanking the people for their “generosity”, PC Schembri’s family expressed the wish that no funds are collected at this stage. A campaign on online fundraising platform Gofundme was initiated just hours before.

In a statement on Facebook, family friend Herman Mula, speaking on behalf of Ms Schembri and their children, said there should be “no monetary collections without consent”.

He said it was still too premature to set up such fundraisers adding that Ms Schembri had not yet given her consent to anyone to organise any collections.

“With regard to any other activities that are being planned, the family requests that wherever PC Schembri’s name or that of the family is used, the organisers are to consult with Ms Schembri first,” Mr Mula wrote, adding that all such correspondence should go through him.

The family, he said, was going through a difficult period, adding it was also crucial that the criminal process related to the case was safeguarded.

The police have appealed to the media and the public to respect PC Simon Schembri and his family’s privacy.

“The family have undergone several traumatic experiences over the past few days and the sharing of sensitive information, footages or photos in relation to his case may be detrimental to them. Moreover, this is a very sensitive investigation, where court proceedings are also ongoing,” they said.

In a joint statement, the Police Officers’ Union, the Malta Police Association and the Malta Association of Retired Police Officers said they would be holding a walk on Saturday in support and solidarity with members of the force and their hard work.

The walk starts at 10am from St George’s Square, Valletta, ending outside the Parliament building.