Looe-based charity Ellie's Haven has benefited by donations of nearly £9,000 from a series of fundraising efforts.

The charity, which was set up with the aim of building a non-medical holiday facility for children with life threatening illnesses and their families in Devon and Cornwall, will receive more than £8,000 from sponsorship from the London marathon, the proceeds of its recent spring ball and from the money generated through charity tea-dances.

Three runners from Cornwall completed the London Marathon for the charity and raised more than £1,500 in sponsorship money between them. They were Martin Wingrove from Dobwalls, John Bowden from Looe and Dave Nance from Saltash.

Nigel Libby, Ellie's Haven: "We are overwhelmed at the support we have received which is helping us to achieve our goal of spreading the cause of Ellie's Haven."

Nigel Libby, co-founder of Ellie's Haven, which is named after his daughter, said both he and his wife, Julie, were delighted that the runners ran for the charity.

"Julie and I are pleased that the runners all finished in good health, and am thankful to them for raising funds and awareness of Ellie's Haven," Nigel said.

The charity's annual spring ball, held at the Hannafore Point Hotel in Looe, also proved to be a resounding success.

The 90 guests were treated to a four-course meal, drinks, a violinist, auction and raffle and photo shoot, which raised more than £5,000.

Nigel and Julie have also been presented with a cheque for £2,250 by Pam Pryor, who organises regular charity tea-dances in the region.

Nigel added: "On behalf of Ellie's Haven Committee and Trustees, we would like to thank Pam Pryor and all her dancers, and the Hannafore Point Hotel, Julia Griffiths, Matt Maitland, James Marshall, Tina Mollard, Rob Frost Photography and everyone who contributed to make a superbly successful evening.

"We are overwhelmed at the support we have received which is helping us to achieve our goal of spreading the cause of Ellie's Haven."

Ellie was born on 25 January 2005 with the same rare terminal condition, from which her brother Thomas died at the age of fourteen months.