ipswich: A family has been left speechless by the generosity of complete strangers.

Sarah and Peter Lawrance, of Morland Road, have been blown away by the support shown by the public in their bid to help their five-year-old daughter Brooke, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby, walk for the first time.

Since The Evening Star reported Brooke’s story last week, the Brooke’s Wish To Walk fund pot has more than doubled and currently stands at �625.

But there is still a long way to go to raise the �40,000 needed to fund the life-changing selective dorsal rhizotomy operation, physiotherapy and aftercare.

Mrs Lawrance, 32, said: “The fund is creeping up and up, and we just can’t believe it. We are so grateful. Why do you only realise when you do something like this how many wonderful people there are out there? That includes strangers, friends and wonderful family.

“Thank you to everyone. This is going to be hard but with everyone behind us we can do it.”

More than 1,700 people have already show their support by signing up to the appeal’s Facebook page.

Visit www.justgiving.com/brookeswishtowalk to help make Brooke’s dream come true.

n Have you got an inspirational story? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk