STAFF from across Ipswich and Suffolk were today showing their true colours in a bid to boost the Somebody's Daughter appeal.As the build-up to Sunday's Old Farm derby continues, supporters were paying to wear their Ipswich Town shirts to boost the coffers of the charity launched to help vulnerable young people in Ipswich.

Paul Geater

STAFF from across Ipswich and Suffolk were today showing their true colours in a bid to boost the Somebody's Daughter appeal.

As the build-up to Sunday's Old Farm derby continues, supporters were paying to wear their Ipswich Town shirts to boost the coffers of the charity launched to help vulnerable young people in Ipswich.

Among those companies taking part were Ipswich-based call centre Call Connection, BT, Chelsea Building Society, Ipswich Hospital and Suffolk Fire Service.

At Call Connection, whose boss Graeme Kalbraier is a trustee of the Somebody's Daughter appeal, staff got well into the spirit of the event by showing their support for the club and the charity.

Both Ipswich and Suffolk councils encouraged their staff to wear football shirts - and administrative staff at Ipswich Hospital also took part in the fund-raising events.

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “There has been a tremendous response from hospital staff particularly as football fever is gripping the town. It is also for a very good cause.

“We would have had a sea of blue in the hospital, but our infection control measures have to be observed and those who are seeing patients won't be able to wear them.”

Some Ipswich Buses drivers were wearing their Town colours - and any Canaries fans at that company who wanted to join in the fun were being charged a fiver!

Most other places were charging Norwich fans £2 to give their true blue friends the chance to pull their legs during the day!

The day was a fundraising triumph for Somebody's Daughter which is aiming to raise enough money to open a centre to be used by young people in Ipswich at risk from the twin dangers of drug use and prostitution.

It comes just a week after the fund got a fantastic boost from Emma Brown who raised £5,000 through a charity auction she organised at Ipswich School.

Fund trustee Liz Harsant said today: “I think it is a marvellous idea - it raises money for a good cause and allows people to have fun.

“As I was walking my dog this morning I saw some people walking to work in their football shirts - I am certainly wearing mine today.”

Don't forget to look out for the Evening Star sales staff at Sunday's derby match with Norwich - they will have Evening Stars and goody bags on sale with everything you need to enjoy the match.