RENOVATION work continues to progress at Ellie's Haven at Duloe, the property purchased by the local charity which aims to provide free holiday respites for families who have very sick children. After seven years of fundraising, led by Nigel and Julie Libby, of Looe, whose vision it was to provide the holiday retreat, the property was bought last year for £387,500, and is on schedule to receive its first guests in 2015.

The couple's own daughter Ellie, who was born with a rare brain disorder, was the inspiration for the haven, but sadly she died last year shortly before her seventh birthday.

The charity is now busy converting the property to make it fit for purpose and relies on fundraising by supporters to cover the cost including materials and fitments.

Nigel said: 'When we started last year, we estimated we would need another £250,000 to complete the conversions and so far we have raised £70,000.

'A pledge of £25,000 has come from the Claire Milne Trust, set up by the granddaughter of the well-known author AA Milne. This is the first major grant we have received, a significant amount of money, which hopefully will attract other grant aid.'

Ellie's Haven has also been delighted to welcome on board the new Miss Cornwall who has made it her chosen charity throughout the year of her reign.

Rosalie Douglas, from Tregony, will be using her title to raise awareness and funds for Ellie's Haven.

'I have been truly inspired by the work that I have seen so far and Ellie's Haven is such a worthwhile charity set here in the heart of Cornwall,' she said.

A great deal of work at the haven was recently achieved over a four-week period voluntarily, by a group of local people from the Liskeard area seeking jobs who are enrolled on a construction skills course. Through a partnership between Cornwall College's Work Skills Training Academy and Jobcentre Plus, the group embarked on the job of clearing the garden area, as well as erecting two Ellie's Haven signs, stripping walls, and jet washing the driveway. Some of the volunteers were inspired to stay on and help out after the placement ended.

Karley Keast, 23, from Liskeard, was one of the volunteers.

'I've got two kids of my own. They don't have the needs Ellie had, but I can relate to what it might be like if they did,' he said.

'It will give me trade experience to help here and Nigel's a good bloke who needs all the help he can get.'

Nigel and Julie say they really appreciate all the help they have had from everyone to get them this far with the project and are grateful for their continued support.