A FOUR-year-old girl with a life limiting genetic illness who has inspired a major fund-raising campaign has prompted a Bude man to present his birthday donations to the cause.

Mr Terry Bale, of Bude, has handed over more than £2,000 to Ellie's Haven, the charity set up by Ellie Libby's mum and dad — Julie and Nigel — towards their dream of a purpose-built non medical holiday home for Devon and Cornwall families who have children with life limiting illnesses.

Ellie is a delightfully pretty little girl born with an unknown genetic illness — the same illness which claimed her brother Thomas's life when he was just one-year-old.

Ellie needs round-the-clock care. She has partial sight and hearing but no mobility, movement or sitting balance and suffers numerous seizures and feeding difficulties, but her parents do detect the occasional twinkle!

At the recent Gorsedd held in Saltash, Ellie was presented with the Frank Pascoe Cup for showing courage and determination in the face of her serious problems.

The donations in lieu of presents for Terry's birthday 12 months' ago — plus money raised by Christmas lights on his daughter Tamsin Morgan's home in Australia and a donation from merchant banker Edward Glover — emabled the cheque for £2,000 plus to be handed over, with more money still to come.

Funds towards Ellie's Haven now exceed £220,000 towards the target of £1.5-million. Plans are complete for the Ellie's Haven holiday home to contain self-contained accommodation for up to four families plus respite nurse at any one time, along with a communal area, sensory room, therapy room and hydrotherapy pool.

A number of sites are currently being considered.

If you feel you could help in any way thenvisit http://www.ellies-haven.org.uk">www.ellies-haven.org.uk or e-mail Julie and Nigel on [email protected]">[email protected]