THE fundraising total for Ella's Memory, a charity set up to overhaul hospital facilities used by grieving parents at the Royal Cornwall Hospital's Daisy Suite, is on course to smash its target of £5,000 and is expected to reach £10,000 by the end of the month.

Organisers Martyn and Emmillie Selley are thrilled by the efforts of local businesses and individuals who have backed their campaign.

"It has been amazing – we now want to work on a complete overhaul of the room as well as leaving funds for its future upkeep," said Mr Selley, who wants to install a new sofabed, camera equipment, bathroom suite, window and patio door linking the room to the hospital's baby memorial garden.

Last week Katy and Phil Craven, owners of Blades hairdressing salon in River Street, Truro, held a ladies' night offering canapes and pink champagne while customers had their hair and nails done. The event was a resounding success raising the most in one night – £1,090.

Little tots from the Leaps And Bounds Day Nursery in Truro recently held a Silly Hat Day in aid of the charity raising £170.13.

And in April Truro's Plaza Cinema manager, Stuart Jenkins, took part in the Brighton Marathon in aid of the charity. It was the first event in a year of fundraising efforts to mark his 40th birthday. So far he has completed the Saltash Half Marathon and the Trevornick 10-mile off-road race.

He is also taking part in the Ella's Memory 200km Challenge which kicks off on May 28, then all focus turns towards The Classic Quarter in June when he covers 44 miles on the gruelling coastal path route from the Lizard Point to Land's End.

Anyone wishing to donate can do so by going to the website www.justgiving.com/ellas-memory200kmchallenge, or visit the website www.ellasmemory.org.uk