JACKPOT!The appeal to build a memorial to murdered schoolgirl Vicky Hall and show that good can come from evil has today passed the £100,000 barrier.

JACKPOT!

The appeal to build a memorial to murdered schoolgirl Vicky Hall and show that good can come from evil has today passed the £100,000 barrier.

Soon the tatty old buildings used by young footballers in Trimley St Mary as changing rooms will be replaced with a brand new modern sports pavilion to bear Vicky's name.

Today the trustees behind the appeal, which is spearheaded by The Evening Star, announced news of a fantastic £20,000 donation from a mystery benefactor and a £5,000 gift from Ipswich businessman Graeme Kalbraier.

It means that with the amazing fundraising effort already carried out by Star readers and pledges of grants from local councils and other organisations, the £100,000 milestone has been reached.

Father-of-two Mr Kalbraier has a daughter called Victoria and said that Vicky's murder had really hit home.

"Vicky Hall was doing nothing wrong. She was just living a normal life and it would appear that she was extremely unfortunate," said Mr Kalbraier, managing director of Direct Motorline.

"I think it hit home with a lot of people because it could so easily have happened to any family.

"I was touched by the story, particularly the way the Star portrayed it. I have been very lucky in my life and I just felt I should contribute."

The 46-year-old self-made businessman, who also has a teenage son Robbie, also felt the pavilion would make an excellent memorial.

"It seems a very worthwhile project and it is something we are very pleased and proud to help with," he added.

Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover, one of the trustees of the appeal, said: "The public reaction to the appeal has been fantastic and it has been a wonderful effort from everyone. Now we just have to wait and see what the lottery says and we hope we can get the pavilion built as soon as possible."

Vicky's parents Graham and Lorinda are thrilled with the way the fundraising has been going and the tremendous support the memorial fund has received from the public.

It has been a great comfort to them since their 17-year-old daughter vanished as she walked home with best friend Gemma Algar from a Felixstowe nightclub more than two years ago.

Vicky vanished just seconds after parting from Gemma, abducted by her killer, who later dumped her body in a ditch at Creeting St Peter, near Stowmarket.

The pavilion, which is expected to cost around £220,000, will be built on the Stennett Memorial Playing Field and be managed by the Trimley Red Devils, which runs football teams for players aged seven to 17.

It will also be used by cricketers, and for small community events and meetings.

It will feature four changing rooms, each with its own showers. Toilets, including facilities for people with a disability, first aid area, cleaner's room, kitchen, storage, and referee's changing areas.

The next stage is for the finalised application to be made to the Football Foundation for National Lottery grant aid for 65 per cent of the total cost and this is set to happen this month.

WEBLINK: www.eveningstar.co.uk