IPSWICH Town will become Ipswich United when Jim Magilton's team supports a charity drive aimed at helping some of the most vulnerable young people in Suffolk.

IPSWICH Town will become Ipswich United when Jim Magilton's team supports a charity drive aimed at helping some of the most vulnerable young people in Suffolk.

The Blues welcome East Anglian rivals Colchester United to Portman Road on Tuesday and during the pre-match warm up, each player will wear a T-shirt backing the Somebody's Daughter campaign.

The appeal was launched following the killings of five women in Suffolk last winter with an important mandate of rescuing those embroiled in drug addiction and prostitution.

Today, Town boss Magilton said he and his team were fully behind the cause.

He said: “Last December was a traumatic time for the people of Suffolk and obviously, in particular, the family and friends of the five girls that were killed.

“The Somebody's Daughter campaign has created a lasting legacy to the victims in a way that helps the less fortunate young people of Ipswich today.

“I am delighted that it is one of our club charities this season so that we can show our support for this worthy cause.”

Town chairman David Sheepshanks will dedicate much of his column in the match day programme to the Somebody's Daughter appeal.

Collections in aid of the campaign will take place around the ground in the run-up to kick-off.

The show of support is particularly pertinent because one of the women killed, Anneli Alderton, who spent some time living in Colchester.

Tuesday's public backing is not the first time Ipswich Town have been involved in the campaign.

Last December, at the height of the investigation into the killings, the club held a minute's silence before a home match with Leeds United.

n What are you doing to support the Somebody's Daughter appeal? Call the Star newsroom on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk

The story so far:

The Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund 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.

Already, more than £30,000 has been collected.

Among the trustees of the Somebody's Daughter appeal, a registered charity, are Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks, borough council leader Liz Harsant and Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover.

How you can make a difference:

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.

Specially designed lapels have also been launched, priced at £1 each, with all proceeds going to the fund.

To buy a lapel call into The Evening Star's offices in Lower Brook Street, or call 01473 324840.