Thousands raised for residents of tornado-ravaged Elie

Manitobans have raised more than $65,000 to assist people who lost their homes or belongings to June's devastating tornado in Elie, Man.

A twister tore a swath 300 metres wide and almost six kilometres long through the town in June, destroying several homes. No one was injured in the storm, or in six other tornadoes that touched down in Manitoba over the same weekend.

Residents in the town of 550, just west of Winnipeg, held a fundraising social last weekend which brought in more than $45,000 of the Elie Tornado Assistance Fund.

Christa Vann, who launched the fund, said it continues to grow, with cheques arriving from as far away as Iowa.

"Right now I have a cheque here for $1,000 for the fund, and another $1,000 cheque and in the mailbox there was about maybe 10 envelopes this morning," she said.

"It's just absolutely amazing, the generosity. It's just fanatical."

The money raised will be spent on expenses not covered by insurance.

Vann plans to meet with displaced families on Thursday to discuss their needs.