THE family of a brave boy who cannot talk are raising money to buy him a computer which will help him communicate.

Alfie Cannon, who is four, was born with leukodystrophy, a rare genetic condition which affects his brain and spinal cord.

He is unable to walk or talk unaided and has to undergo regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.

Alfie, from Frinton, is visited by East Anglia Children’s Hospice - and therapists are teaching him how to use a machine called Eye Gaze.

His grandmother, Jackie Cannon, said: “As Alfie can’t talk he uses his eyes to communicate.

“East Anglia Children’s Hospice brought a computer along, he nailed it straight away.

“He was using his eyes to burst balloons on the screen and he took to it so well. We were blown away.

“We would love to be able to buy one for him.”

Alfie will not be able to use the computer all the time as it would be mentally tiring for him, but it would mean he could communicate better with his eyes.

The machines can cost about £3,000.

Jackie, who works for TSB Bank, spoke to her colleagues about the computer and they were keen to host charity raffles and quizzes to help him get one.

Family friend Lee Boot, from Walton, also took part in a charity run in London, raising £550.

He will also be taking part in the Colchester 10k stampede at Colchester Zoo in May.

Jackie said Alfie is coping really well and is hoping to start school in Clacton in April.

She said: “He’s still having weekly physio which we do privately and the fundraising pays for that.

“He goes to Nanny Jo’s Nursery but is hoping to do a couple of days a week at Shorefields School in April.

“He still blows people away with his cheeky smile. He is a very engaging little boy.”

It has been two years since the family found out Alfie’s condition was progressive and he was not going to get better.

Jackie added: “However due to everything we have done to keep him mentally and physically able, I would have thought we would be in a worse position than we are.”