FRIENDS of a Bournemouth resident have been taking part in sponsored activities to help fly her out to Mexico for life-changing surgery.

Having been admitted to Royal Bournemouth Hospital for a suspected stroke or brain tumour in March 2017, Kirsten Hannibal, 47, was found to have multiple lesions on her brain and was diagnosed with CIS, which later progressed to multiple sclerosis.

In order to fund a trip to Mexico, a world-class hub for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, Kirsten need to raise £30,000 to cover flights as well as the cost of the procedure.

Close friend Claire Stalley said: “MS is a horrible affliction. You wouldn’t wish it on your worst enemy and certainly would not wish for someone you know and love to have it.

“Kirsten is an absolute inspiration. She has coped admirably with all the challenges that MS has thrown at her and despite the devastating impact it’s having upon her life, she continues to be kind, she continues to smile, and she is incredibly brave.

“I want so much for her MS to stop and go away and leave her to have the happy and healthy future she deserves."

Fundraising ideas include sponsored head shaves, a supported walk to work, a 24-hour gaming challenge and a virtual cycle ride.

Participants include 13 of Kirsten’s closest and dearest friends, as well as her grandson Cody, who will taking his first steps as part of the fundraising challenge.

Claire said: “Kirsten gives and gives so much to everyone – not to get anything back – but just because she is kind.

“Organising this campaign for her is my way of trying to repay her kindness.

“The essence of our campaign is about ‘friends being there to help a friend’ and the people of Bournemouth and Dorset being there to support one of their own.”

Claire, who is doing a sponsored head shave as part of the fundraising campaign, is urging Dorset residents to donate to the challenge.

She added: “We very much hope that the people of Bournemouth and Dorset will see our campaign as a very real demonstration of community spirit and friendship, and by donating to our campaign they will be contributing to something that will truly make a positive difference, not only to Kirsten’s life, but to the lives of all her family and friends.

“Kirsten has given so much to our community and this is an opportunity for us all to give something back to her.

“We’re asking people to be kind to Kirsten, and to donate to help fund treatment to stop her MS getting worse, stop her becoming more disabled, help change her life and save her future.”

So far, they have raised more than £2,700. To donate, visit gf.me/u/zi9m96