A hairdressing student left paralysed by a motorcycle accident is fundraising for a standing wheelchair to help him train.

Mitchell Chalmers, a first-year student at Bath College, needs to raise £4,900 for the chair, which would give him the extra height and support to lift and cut hair more easily.

Chalmers was 22 when he came off his bike at a motorcross racing event three years ago, suffering severe spinal injuries that left him paralysed from the stomach down.

The accident inspired him to pursue his dream job as a hairdresser, enrolling on the college’s hairdressing course this year.

“One of the biggest struggles is funding equipment to help me do the things I was able to do before. I don’t think there’s enough help out there,” he said.

“It’s been hard to find a job since my accident, but I think I’m young enough to try something new and being in a wheelchair won’t stop me.”

Mr Chalmers has already raised half of his target, and his fellow students are planning a rowing machine fundraising challenge at the college to help him achieve his goal.