RAISING the roof has raised thousands of pounds for a small but remarkable charity striving to survive.

Instead of an admission charge on Bank Holiday Sunday, clubbers at Elements nightclub were asked to donate a minimum of £1 to the Youth Cancer Trust based in Westbourne.

Money put in the collection boxes amounted to a massive £3,100, which will help finance holidays by the sea for young people with cancer.

The Daily Echo-backed charity has provided free holidays away from hospitals, social workers and anxious parents for more than 200 youngsters. The young guests go horse-riding, go-karting and enjoy a trip in a Sunseeker and the Vistarama balloon during their five-day stay in the trust's converted hotel in Studland Road.

"We thought it might be nice rather than us putting an admission charge on the door to do something for charity," said general manager of the Fir Vale Road nightclub Bill Dearsley.

Chairman of Bournemouth Council's licensing sub-committee councillor Tony Ramsden suggested the Youth Cancer Trust.

"The vast majority of people were keen to put money in and some went way over what we were asking them for. It was very well received," added Mr Dearsley.

Some £10,000 was raised for the trust when the Red Arrows came to Bournemouth last month.

Another £1,600 was raised through ticket sales and an auction at a black tie and posh frocks evening at the Inn In The Park in Branksome Park.

And following an appeal to sponsor a youngster to enjoy a holiday with the Youth Cancer Trust, one Daily Echo reader sent in a cheque for £500.

In a covering letter she wrote: "I am a pensioner heading down the eighties and have decided that this year I haven't the energy to go on holiday - what better to do than to give a holiday to a young person who should be enjoying life and is courageously striving to overcome suffering."

Brenda Clark, who set up the trust with retired solicitor John Scott after losing her only daughter to cancer, said: "Every bit of money we receive is such a huge help. Our costs exceed our income and we don't want to turn youngsters away."