The county’s bishop has today issued a rallying call for people to help with a project aimed at drug and alcohol addicts, set up in the wake of the Ipswich murders.

The Rt Rev Nigel Stock, Bishop of the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese, will dedicate Saturday’s service at Bury Cathedral to Talitha Koum – a charity which is in the process of building a special sanctuary for women, on a farm just north of Ipswich, where recovering drug and alcohol addicts can seek help and treatment.

The project has been given �20,000 by the Somebody’s Daughter fund set up by the Star and other partners in the wake of the deaths of Tania Nicol, Gemma Adams, Paula Clennell, Anneli Alderton and Annette Nicholls, whose lives were cut short by serial killer Steve Wright in 2006.

Building work for the Christian therapeutic community has already begun but more help is needed.

Issuing his rallying call, Bishop Nigel, a patron of the charity, said: “It is one response to the problem that was highlighted during the horrible tragedies in 2006.

“It was a tragedy that shocked the whole nation and it has remained very much in people’s minds. I think it was a wake up call as to what was going on in society, which is so often hidden, and it took a shocking series of incidents like what happened in 2006 to awaken people’s minds.

“Talitha Koum is a project that should attract anyone with a compassionate heart and a belief in the possibilities of restoration, because it is about doing something for vulnerable women struggling with alcohol and drug addictions.

“Talitha Koum is about creating the environment for new opportunities, providing a route out of addiction.

“I would invite anyone interested in supporting this Christian charity’s invaluable project to come to the service to see how they can become involved in supporting the work.”

John Cobbold, chief executive of Talitha Koum, said: “After the tragic murders, which are now six years ago, people felt they wanted to do something, but were unsure what. Talitha Koum knows what to do.

“There are opportunities for people to help and we will be showing how you can help during the service. We are seeking more volunteers, individuals, organisations, or churches to help give time or to donate funds to ensure Talitha Koum becomes a lasting legacy of love for women caught in cycles of addiction, and abuse.”

During the evening service on Saturday, which starts at 7.30pm, a special multi-media presentation will be shown, showcasing the story of the charity and their work. It will encourage people to give up their time as volunteers or make a donation.

What support would you like to see for addicts? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters @archant.co.uk