HOTEL manager Jonathan Cooke was moved when his barmaid Tracey Copp told him of the plight of her two-year-old son, so he ran a Christmas draw to help.

The raffle at the Masons Arms hotel and restaurant, in Williton, raised £119 which was presented to Michelle Evans, South West fundraising manager of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

The trust needs £2 million a year to research cystic fibrosis and investigate problems associated with the condition. It also supports families affected by cystic fibrosis, including young Jonathan Copp's family.

"Due to the research, Jonathan has kept well for over a year now, but when he was first diagnosed things were very serious," said Tracey.

"We weren't even sure if he was going to survive - he weighed very little and he was pale and very weak.

"But with constant monitoring at Musgrove Park Hospital, medication and physiotherapy, he has grown into a normal, happy and reasonably healthy toddler."

Tracey spent much of her time with Jonathan during his stays in hospital, which meant being away from her daughter, Vicky, and she said the regime at home was difficult to get used to.

"If you can imagine having the worst chest infection you have ever known, this is what Jonathan's lungs are like all the time," she said. "It takes a lot of energy just to breathe - something we all take for granted.

"We have to make sure Jonathan gets all his medication at the right time and that he eats as much as possible to maintain a good body weight.

"He takes enzymes to help digest his food, supplements to aid weight gain and keep up his energy and vitamins and antibiotics to keep him healthy."

Mr Cooke said he had no hesitation in choosing the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to benefit from the draw: "After hearing the heart-wrenching stories about Tracey's son, I hope this donation will help the trust in some way."

Pictured from the left are Jonathan and Tracey, Michelle Evans and Mr Cooke.

Photo: Steve Guscott.