IPSWICH: An uplifting and festive evening of music helped to raise vital funds for the Somebody's Daughter appeal.

Anthony Bond

IPSWICH: An uplifting and festive evening of music helped to raise vital funds for the Somebody's Daughter appeal.

The Ipswich Choral Society held its annual extravaganza at the Corn Exchange on Saturday night which included a mix of traditional carols and music.

The event was in aid of The Evening Star and Ipswich Borough Council's Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund, which was launched to help and protect vulnerable young women in the town.

Ipswich Borough Council leader Liz Harsant, who is a trustee of the appeal, said: “It was an excellent night. It was the nicest one that I have been too. There was a very good atmosphere.

“Because of the weather there was a concern that people would not turn up but the place was full and the singing from Ipswich Choral Society was absolutely beautiful and there was such a variety of people there.

“It is a really important event. I know that when we were leaving people were already talking about next year. It is something that will go on and on.”

Those who performed at the event - which was compered by the BBC's Rachael Sloane - included the Ipswich Choral Society, the Suffolk Phoenix Brass, St Johns School choir, Ipswich High School for Girls choir, the Ipswich Deaf Association singing choir and folk duo Pluck'n'Squeeze.

Mrs Harsant said the appeal had helped many people. “We are doing all the work that we can,” she added. “There is now only one or two persistent girls on the streets.”

The Somebody's Daughter Memorial Fund was launched by the Evening Star 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 in December 2006.

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.

Donations to the memorial fund can be made 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.