A Helston-based charity sending lifesaving aid to victims of the devastating earthquake in Iran has raised a phenomenal £60,000 in less than two weeks.

The ShelterBox Trust, set up three years ago by members of the Helston-Lizard Rotary Club, has been inundated with donations from members of the public and other rotary clubs since making an appeal for funds earlier this month.

The flood of money pouring in to the charity's headquarters on the Water-ma-Trout industrial estate meant the rotarians were able to send a further 100 boxes of aid to Iran on Monday.

The boxes, containing tents, sleeping bags, cooking utensils and other equipment, are being transported to Iran by road - the haulage costs funded by Midlands-based charity The Samaritan's Purse.

Scheduled to arrive in the quake-hit city of Bam early next week, the boxes will be distributed by the Iranian Red Crescent, who have already handed out an earlier consignment of 110 shelter boxes flown in shortly after the earthquake.

Busy packing boxes at their Helston headquarters, the rotarians expressed their grateful thanks to everyone who had answered their call for help.

"The response has been fantastic," said project leader Tom Henderson. "Pensioners have been driving over here with £10 notes because they can't get through to us on the phone. We have been amazed at the amount of goodwill there is out there.

"We would like to be able to thank everyone individually, but it is just impossible. Hopefully people will realise just how grateful we are."

In addition to helping earthquake victims in Iran, ShelterBox this week despatched another 40 boxes of aid to war-torn Liberia.

Fundraising is continuing to ensure ready-prepared boxes, each costing £460, can be sent out from Helston as soon as a disaster strikes anywhere in the world.

Among those responding to the ShelterBox appeal were villagers in Cadgwith, who raised an impressive £550 for the charity at an impromptu pasty and wine evening in the cove on Friday.

Host Jean Bourne said she had been amazed by the generous response from the local community, particularly since the event had been organised within a matter of days.

She thanked co-organiser Nicky Jose, helpers Lorna and Andy Noble and Michael Halliday, and local businesses and individuals who donated raffle prizes.