IMAGINE a world without being able to speak – but being able to hear and understand.

Imagine a world without control of movement – but wanting to run and catch and fall and cycle and swim and do the things you see other little boys doing.

Imagine laughing with your eyes, because that's the only way you can laugh at all.

Imagine a world where the mental and physical frustration of cerebral palsy - not being able to take a simple step on the long road of life without help - makes you want to cry almost every minute of every single day and almost stop trying anymore.

And then imagine what it must be like for that little boy's parents: 24-hour watching, 24-hour caring, 24-hour loving, 24-hours being there to pick him up, help him to feed, help him to use the lavatory, help him to live.

Natasha and Chris Brookman of Cheriton Fitzpaine have learned to do all that for their five-years-old Eli and because of their efforts – including Natasha and good friend, Megan Richards, completing this year's London marathon – and astonishing local support for this little local boy, Eli is probably going to be able to share some of the happiest years of his life – here, in Mid-Devon where people's hearts are bigger. 

How? 

Hopefully kind people will help provide him with a roundabout at Landscore School. Funds are also being raised to find about £6,000 to obtain a suitable roundabout.

Eli will then be able to enjoy what Landscore School, Crediton and its boys and girls and teachers and parents have to offer, so that he can develop relationships with boys and girls of his own age and so that he can have a teeny weeny bit of a half normal life.  

Without this roundabout his school life will be severely restricted and learning almost non existent.

The good news is that through sponsorship, a quiz night, barbecues, cake sales, a draw with prizes drawn from local companies, you, the people of Mid-Devon have raised more than £5,000.

Eli's mum, Natasha, told the Courier: "We have been so touched by everyone's generosity both locally and worldwide.

"We are hoping to find a company or charity interested in matching our fundraising efforts. With the extra money, we will be able to buy more inclusive equipment for Landscore to be used by other children like Eli."

To help Natasha and Chris and Eli Brookman you can contribute to http://www.eli-gb.com">www.eli-gb.com or contact [email protected]">[email protected] .

You cannot imagine how much difference each donation makes; you cannot imagine how much any offer of help makes to Eli's life and that of his family.

For further information please email Natasha at marathon£eli-gb.com .

Donald King