IPSWICH/STOWMARKET: A live music extravaganza in memory of two women mowed down by a drink-driver has handed a charity a major boost.

The fundraising gig in Stowmarket – which featured Martlesham Heath folk band The Farthings – raised more than �1,000 for Brake, the road safety campaign group.

Kate Wasyluk, 25, and Emma Harold, 26, were killed when a car driven by Scott Nicholls mounted the pavement in Foxhall Road, Ipswich, in 2009.

Details of the fundraiser comes after The Evening Star yesterday launched its Christmas anti drink-drive campaign. This newspaper pledges to cover as many drink-drive cases at South East Suffolk Magistrates Court as possible between December 1 and January 1.

Kevin Bloomfield, who organised the Take My Hand fundraising gig with his wife Kyla, said the evening was a huge success.

Mr Bloomfield, who is a friend of the victims’ families, said: “It was a fantastic atmosphere as was last year’s event.”

More than 100 revellers turned out for the gig, which was held at The Cedars Hotel in Needham Road earlier this month.

Among the entertainment on show were Turntable, The Farthings, Lee Cooper, Stacey Pepper Dance Academy, Simply Audacious and Ice Illusions.

Mr Bloomfield, of Bramford Road, Ipswich, added: “All the performers were fantastic but Turntable at the end raised the roof.

“The families of both the girls were there and they thanked us for what we do.

“We mentioned the girls in the programme but it’s very much an upbeat show but we try and get the message across about road safety.”

Mr Bloomfield added he would be looking to hold next year’s fundraiser at a larger venue after tickets sold out so quickly this time around.

n Do you think enough is being done to tackle drink-driving? Write to: Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk