A CHARITY launched after the Ipswich murders today proudly announced the award of significant grants to organisations offering women routes out of the sex industry.

A CHARITY launched after the Ipswich murders today proudly announced the award of significant grants to organisations offering women routes out of the sex industry.

The Somebody's Daughter fund was created by The Evening Star in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council following the killings of five vice girls in late 2006.

Since then, generous readers and businesses have donated more than �70,000 towards the appeal.

And today, Somebody's Daughter trustees revealed that two deserving causes will be given a combined �29,000 to use in their bid to break the cycle of prostitution and addiction.

The cash will benefit many of the most vulnerable women in Ipswich.

A total of �20,000 is to be given to Talitha Koum, an innovative Christian project which will provide a safe house for those caught up in vice and substance misuse.

And a further �9,000 will be handed to the Prostitution Strategy's Making a Change team, which works to provide emergency accommodation for homeless, vulnerable women.

Appeal trustee David Sheepshanks said: “The passage of time must never be allowed to dull our shock and horror at the terrible events of 2006 and at what happened to those poor girls.

“Somebody's Daughter was set up at the instigation of Star editor Nigel Pickover and a number of us were pleased to join him as trustees with the primary aim of creating some form of safe haven and support for vulnerable young women in Ipswich.

“So I am delighted that we are now able to make these grants that go a considerable way to realising our objectives.

“At the same time, we must thank those who have supported the appeal thus far because there is still so much to do.”

Somebody's Daughter was launched after the murders of Tania Nicol, Gemma Adams, Paula Clennell, Anneli Alderton and Annette Nicholls in late 2006. All worked in the sex trade to fund crippling drug habits.

Star editor and appeal trustee Nigel Pickover said: “These grants support causes whose aims are closely linked to those of the Somebody's Daughter appeal.

“The generosity of our readers will make an enormous difference to scores of vulnerable women in Ipswich - and their kindness is a fitting tribute to Tania, Gemma, Anneli, Annette and Paula.”

The appeal has also been boosted by a link up with the Suffolk Foundation, a grant-giving organisation which supports community groups and projects which make a difference to the lives of Suffolk people.

The foundation manages funds on behalf of individuals, companies, trusts and public agencies, acting as the vital link between donors and needs.

How should prostitution be tackled in Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

Talitha Koum:

A GRANT of �20,000 will be given to Talitha Koum - a donation which charity bosses believe will kick-start the project.

The organisation will use the cash to put towards the building of a safe community and rehabilitation centre north of Ipswich for women trying to escape from the clutches of vice and addiction.

Project leader John Cobbold said: “We are thrilled to receive this money because it will help us kick-start the cen-tre.

“There is obviously a history of women becoming caught up in drugs in Ipswich and we are trying to offer them a route out.

“Our aim is to go through the route to the wound. By living, working and learning about faith and addiction, the women will be able to beat their problems.

“There is also a care and support programme so they are helped when they come out afterwards.

“This was something which was thought about before the murders. We identified that there was a need to care for vulnerable women and this was highlighted by what happened in Ipswich in 2006.”

The centre will eventually accommodate up to 18 women who will receive professional counselling, guidance, health advice and a genuine opportunity to radically alter their lives.

Initially, the centre will use mobile buildings to house and treat the women. But a series of bungalows will eventu-ally be built, with those receiving treatment helping in the construction process.

Planning permission is being sought later this year in the hope that the centre can begin welcoming women in Sep-tember 2010.

Mr Cobbold said: “Getting out of the sex industry is very hard and we think there is a real need in Ipswich for a sustainable rehab centre.

“We are very grateful to the people who have given money to Somebody's Daughter. We feel our aims are closely aligned with the charity's and the money will be put to good use.

“These women are somebody's daughters. Every family knows someone who is affected by drugs or drink.

“This will be a place for women to start rebuilding their lives.”

Making a Change:

AS part of the prostitution strategy, the Making a Change team have sought to engage with sex workers to help them leave the lifestyle they inhabit.

One of the biggest problems facing women in that position surrounds housing.

As such, an award of �9,000 has been made to provide crisis accommodation.

Suffolk police's detective superintendent Tim Beach said: “One of the big issues going right back to 2006 when we first started engaging with these woman was homelessness.

“We have sought to find emergency accommodation - the immediate provision for women with a housing need until they can find something more appropriate for the longer term.”

The cash will enable the team to keep a bed-and-breakfast style room open for a year.

The appeal goes on:

MORE than �70,000 has already been raised thanks to the kindness and compassion of Evening Star readers and Suffolk businesses - but the appeal goes on.

The bid to end prostitution in Ipswich will continue for years to come.

And the only way Somebody's Daughter can continue making vital grants such as the two announced today is through your generosity.

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 pay-able to Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund, to PO Box 772, Ipswich Borough Council, Grafton House, 15-17 Russell Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 2DE.

The Suffolk Foundation:

The foundation is part of a worldwide charitable network which aims to build a stronger community in Suffolk by making it easier to give and by supporting the real needs that exist in our communities.

A spokesman said: “We make it easier and more satisfying for individuals and companies wishing to support community projects in their area by managing charitable funds set up on their behalf and in accordance with their wishes.

“Giving through the Foundation is simple, safe, tax efficient and cost effective. We make philanthropy affordable, easy to manage and as visible or anonymous as each donor requires.

“Applying for a grant from The Suffolk Foundation is easy. We offer free advice and guidance and seek to make grants that will make a real difference to grass root organisations throughout Suffolk.”