YOUNGSTER Dylan Dunn could have just a few months to live yet he still manages to smile and chuckle for his family. The 21-month-old - Williton couple Allan and Anne Dyer's first grandchild - is facing a cruel future after being diagnosed with terminal Sandhoff's Disease. The rare genetic condition attacks the nervous system and has left Dylan, who is not expected to reach his second birthday, progressively paralysed and now only able to move his hands. But Allan, a teacher at Dulverton Community Middle School and a keen runner, has enlisted the help of fellow members of Minehead Running Club to raise vital funds for an organisation which is providing Dylan and his family, who live in Totnes in Devon, with a lifeline. At least 24 members of the club have signed up to pound the coastal path from Minehead to Little Bridge House just outside Barnstaple, the only children's hospice in the South West. With £700 already in the kitty from donations, the runners hope Dylan's Run will raise several thousand pounds from sponsorship to support the hospice - a cause which event organisers say does so much and on which no value can be placed. Dylan has already spent some time at the hospice to give his parents Jane - a former Danesfield Community Middle School and West Somerset Community College student - and Jon some much needed breaks from the 24-hour care their son needs. Jane, 27, gave birth to the couple's second child, a daughter, just over a month ago - she thankfully is clear of the disease which will inevitably claim the life of her brother. Allan told the Free Press this week that Dylan had shown no signs of the condition until he was nine months old. "Basically, he just didn't continue to develop as he should have done," he said. "Sandhoff's is a very rare disease and only one in 500,000 people are carriers of the defective gene - unfortunately our daughter Jane and her husband are both carriers. "It has been devastating for the whole family." Jon has given up his job as a chef to become a full- time carer for Dylan, along with Jane who trained as a teacher. At Little Bridge House, Dylan not only receives specialised care but also has the use of a range of sensory equipment to stimulate him. In a leaflet explaining the aim of Dylan's Run, the organisers said the youngster's parents appreciated the care and support given at the hospice. "Caring for a child with a short life is not easy and all children with short lives deserve the best we can give them. "Little Bridge House is giving this to Dylan and to other children. It is run entirely on charitable giving and needs us all to contribute so that it can continue to do such an important job." Teams of between three and ten runners will tackle the 73-mile run, which takes place on May 14, in sections. Collecting boxes will be placed along the route and will also be in many Minehead shops and businesses in the run-up to the event, including Minehead Radio, the Britannia Inn and Cranmer's opticians. Minehead Running Club spokesman Graham Sizer said he hoped the run would attract massive support locally. "This is a desperately sad situation for the family but something good can come from it if we can raise a substantial amount of money for the hospice. "Almost everyone in the running club knows Dylan because he used to come along to many of our events before anyone knew there was anything wrong. "We want people to support us on the day but also to pledge sponsorship beforehand - the money is really needed." Would-be sponsors can contact Allan on 01984 632917.