MORE than £2,000 has been raised for the Somebody's Daughter appeal thanks to a charity netball match - and some unusual cheerleaders.

MORE than £2,000 has been raised for the Somebody's Daughter appeal thanks to a charity netball match - and some unusual cheerleaders.

AXA's finance ladies beat the corporate solutions team by 18 goals to seven at the match at St Joseph's College in Ipswich, winning them the insurance company's Charity Cup.

Supporting them from the sidelines were 20 male members of the finance team who dressed up as cheerleaders, complete with short skirts, wigs and pom poms.

A total of £2,466.22 was raised for the appeal, which was set up by The Evening Star and Ipswich Borough Council to establish a safe house and rehabilitation centre in the town for young women who have developed drug habits and who desperately want to find a way out.

Organiser Sally Verney, from the finance team, said: “I would like to say a massive thanks to everyone who has supported us in this challenge.

“Finance are now the very proud holders of the Charity Cup and the grand total raised was fantastic.

“We want to say thanks to our brilliant referees - Valerie Frost and Belinda Ryder, and to all the cheerleaders, netball players and other helpers for making it such an entertaining evening.”

There is still a chance to donate online at www.justgiving.com/axacharitycup

The Somebody's Daughter appeal was set up after the killings of Gemma Adams, Annette Nicholls, Anneli Alderton, Tania Nicol and Paula Clennell.

Are you raising money for the appeal? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk