A charity aiming to build a sanctuary for women battling addiction can now start work on the centre’s accommodation block, thanks to funds raised by individuals and organisations.

Ipswich Star: An image of what Talitha Koum will look like.An image of what Talitha Koum will look like. (Image: Archant)

The timber-framed structure for the Talitha Koum therapeutic centre, backed by The Star’s Somebody’s Daughter Memorial Fund, has now been ordered after £30,000 was raised.

A grant of £15,000 has also come from the fund, launched by The Star in the wake of the 2006 Ipswich murders.

Peter Matthews, chair of trustees of Talitha Koum, said: “This accommodation block will be for the women who will live on site during their recovery.

“It will cater for 12 people at any one time as they go through a 12 step recovery programme and also train and learn new skills to help them re-integrate back into the community.

“This is very much needed as there are so very few such centres in the country and it will give women caught up in cycles of addiction a second chance.”

As well as individuals, donations have also come from churches and fund-raising events, while applications for grants have also been made.

Among the people raising funds is 63-year-old Ipswich runner David Coley, who ran the London Marathon for the cause.

He set himself a target of raising £2,000 but he has already raised £4,000 and money is still being donated.

Mr Matthews added: “It is the commitment of people like David who are organising fundraisers from barbecues to sponsored events that will help us reach our overall target.

“There is a long way to go but we are on the way and people are thinking of various different ways to raise the money. Volunteers are giving their time on site to lay paths and landscape the grounds.”

If you would like to make a donation, visit www.talithakoum.org.uk or call 0793 505 8685.