REMEMBER the number 977 - and make a difference to young lives this Christmas.

REMEMBER the number 977 - and make a difference to young lives this Christmas.

The digits are the dividend number dedicated by the East of England Co-operative Society to support the Somebody's Daughter memorial fund, The Evening Star's Christmas Appeal 2007.

The fund, launched nearly a year ago, is aiming to raise enough cash to fund a safe house where vulnerable young people can access guidance, care and support.

Mike Fulkner, society secretary, said: “We are pleased to be supporting the Evening Star's appeal.

“The Somebody's Daughter campaign will mean a lot to many of our customers in and around the Ipswich area.

“We would encourage them to consider donating their dividend on their purchases to our special 977 charity number.”

Co-op members can quote 977 as well as their own number, or use their dividend card, at the till.

The dividend payable on the purchases will be donated to the appeal.

Somebody's Daughter was launched in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council in the wake of the killings of five women in Suffolk.

The bodies of Gemma Adams, Tania Nicol, Anneli Alderton, Annette Nicholls and Paula Clennell were found in remote rural locations last December.

All had worked in the sex trade and all had drug habits.

As a legacy to the five women, and in a bid to prevent others from walking in their same desperate footsteps, The Somebody's Daughter appeal was given a mandate of helping vulnerable young people in Ipswich.

The ultimate goal is to raise enough money to open a safe house where those embroiled in prostitution and drugs can seek support and guidance.

Donations to the memorial fund can be made online at www.eveningstar.co.uk, in person at Ipswich Borough Council's customer service centre in the Town Hall, by calling 01473 433777, or by sending a cheque, made payable to Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund, to PO Box 772, Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DE.