VULNERABLE young people have received £26,000 to support them during the pandemic.

Donations have been made through the charity Olivia Inspires, set up in memory of a student killed in a tragic accident while at university.

Olivia Burt was just 20-years-old when she died in a crushing incident outside a bar in Durham in 2018.

Her charity supports young people in the New Forest.

Olivia lived in Milford-on-Sea and was head girl at Bournemouth School for Girls.

Cash has been donated to every secondary school in the New Forest and also to individuals.

Olivia’s father and founder of the charity, Nigel Burt said: "We know that many young people are finding things difficult at the moment and we are delighted that through Olivia Inspires we have been able to help.

"We would like to get the message out that we are here to support young people who need a helping hand in achieving their dreams and I would encourage them to apply.

"Like many charities the past few months have been difficult for us. We certainly weren’t expecting a global pandemic when we set up Olivia Inspires just over a year ago.

"We have had to cancel a number of planned fundraising events, so we’re particularly grateful to the people who have supported us with donations, from our county councillors to individuals who have heard about the charity and just want to help.

"We’ve also had great support, including from Sir Ben Ainslie and his INEOS Team UK sailing in the America’s Cup who has donated an amazing selection of team clothing. This will be auctioned online over the weeks leading up to the Americas Cup final in March."

To find out more, make an application for support or donate to the charity go to oliviainspires.org.uk.

You can follow Olivia Inspires on Facebook @oliviainspires or Twitter @olivia_inspires.