A CHARITY boxing and kickboxing event raised enough money to buy a Bournemouth youngster a special wheelchair at the weekend.

Ten-year-old Leon Meal-Moss wants to one day play wheelchair football for his country but the chair he uses at the moment is too heavy for him to train with, hence the need for a lighter one.

The landlord of the Seabournes pub at Christchurch Road and organiser James Cowan decided to launch the event to raise the money needed for a new chair.

The event in the garden of the Pokesdown pub, which attracted more than 400 people and saw 60 competitors take to the ring, was blessed with hot and sunny weather.

James Cowan, from South Coast Kickboxing, said: “It went fantastically and we raised practically all the money to get little Leon a wheelchair.

“It was a great day and it went fantastically well.

“We had some great bouts in the ring and we raised just shy of the total amount – £2,345.

“The landlord of the Seabournes pub decided after speaking to Leon’s dad, that he would hold a fundraiser at the pub and I helped.

“The little lad has had something like 44 operations in his life so it’s great to be able to help. He could be a future star.

“All the competitors were brilliant although the canvas of the ring got so hot they had to wear shoes.

“Thanks must go to all the staff who worked so hard and everyone who was involved. We hope this makes a difference.”