A little girl who has captured the hearts of the community now has enough money for her specially adapted powered wheelchair, thanks to an anonymous donation.

Elsie-Rose Nugent was born with a rare genetic disorder. Her parents, James and Natasha, were told she had a maximum of a year to live.

The 21-month-old from Brompton has terminal muscular atrophy which severely limits mobility and causes breathing problems.

She has gone from strength to strength and desperately needed a specially-adapted power wheelchair to improve her quality of life.

A campaign backed by the Medway Messenger was launched to raise £26,000 for the chair as the NHS will not fund the equipment until she is three.

But now, thanks to the donation, Elsie-Rose should have a trial chair in three weeks time, and she should have her own in three months.

Natasha, 26, who is also mum to Evie-Rose, aged four, said: “We got a big sum of money and we have been able to order the chair.

“I feel like I have won the lottery. We didn’t believe it at first.

“All Elsie-Rose keeps saying is, ‘I’m getting a beep-beep’. She keeps telling everyone.

“Thank you to everyone that’s donated. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

But the family still need to raise enough money for a ramp for their car, and they need to make adaptations to their home so Elsie can use her wheelchair.

"In the future, we will still need equipment for her. It will never be the end. But Elsie-Rose is a little fighter and all the time she is fighting we shall fight with her. It is nice that if we need something else we can call to the public again.”

Drinkers at their local pub, The Cannon in Garden Street, raised £1,000, and are planning more events to help the family.

Landlady Pauline Marriott said: It’s fantastic news but she’s going to need other things still.

“She’s a lovely little girl, with a beautiful sister. They’re a lovely family. Charity begins at home.

“We have collection jars in the bar for people to drop in their loose change. Not many people ask for change from a pint here.”