A DISABLED teenager from Poole is closer to her £12,000 target to buy an all-terrain, off road powerchair - thanks to the generosity of Bournemouth Echo readers, family and friends!

The former Purbeck School pupil Kira Collins, 18, developed a chronic pain condition in Year 10, which left her wheelchair bound.

Excelling at school, Kira has been offered a place to study Forensic Investigation at Bournemouth University in September.

And now she needs just £2,000 to secure a vital wheelchair and fulfill her life-long dream of a career fighting crime.

And the chair will mean Kira can go to the beach for the first time in years - as she will be able to navigate the sand.

Kira and her mum Louise, set up a gofundme page and Facebook fundraisers for the power chair which will enable Kira to investigate on all terrains.

Louise said: "The generosity of friends has left me speechless. When we started asking for financial support too, Kira truly realised how much she is loved by those around her. When strangers started giving her such wonderful gifts as well, well I can’t put into words what that has done for both of us.

"Kira has wanted to go to Bournemouth Uni since she was nine years old. She was over the moon when they offered her a place. Then reality hit. People don’t leave dead bodies and other evidence from crimes on nice flat pavements, but in the thick of a wood, or middle of a heathland, all places her current wheelchair cannot go."

Kira said: "I am so overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity of friends and strangers. Without this all-terrain powerchair I would not be able to follow this career plan. This chair will literally go anywhere, and sadly we live in a world where crime happens anywhere.

"I’m also looking forward to being able to go to the beach for the first time in many years!"

To find out more and support Kira's fundraising, visit gf.me/u/x5ny8n