AFTER a fantastic fundraising effort, work will start next month on the memorial to murdered schoolgirl Vicky Hall, it was announced today.Organisers of the memorial to the teenager said that Heronbuild had been appointed as the contractor to build the £250,000 sports pavilion project which will bear her name in her home village of Trimley St Mary.

By Richard Cornwell

AFTER a fantastic fundraising effort, work will start next month on the memorial to murdered schoolgirl Vicky Hall, it was announced today.

Organisers of the memorial to the teenager said that Heronbuild had been appointed as the contractor to build the £250,000 sports pavilion project which will bear her name in her home village of Trimley St Mary.

Vicky's parents Graham and Lorinda are delighted at the choice of project as it will be used mainly by young people but also the community.

Seven firms made bids to build the scheme but Heronbuild – which is currently building a similar project for Kirton – was chosen as the successful contractor.

Bob Race, chairman of Trimley Red Devils, which will manage the memorial pavilion when it is completed, said: "Hernonbuild have assured us that work will start by the end of November and the pavilion should be finished by May.

"That will give us enough time to equip and furnish the building during the summer and by the start of next season we will have fantastic facilities.

"Everyone at the club is thrilled that we are now ready to start and I know the whole village will be delighted – this will be an excellent memorial to Vicky."

It will show that good can come out of evil and will be a fitting memorial to the 17-year-old and something her parents, who live in Faulkeners Way, and the whole community, can feel pride in.

Mr Race said club officials were just finalising the lease for the site on Stennetts Memorial Playing Field with Trimley St Mary Parish Council.

The memorial will see a mini-soccer academy, following a major fundraising campaign spearheaded by The Evening Star.

The appeal has raised £310,000 – £100,000 from fundraising, and a £210,000 grant from the Football Foundation, of which £161,000 will go towards the cost of the sports pavilion, and £50,000 for a football development programme.

The clubhouse will include four team changing rooms, showers, officials' rooms, storage, kitchen together with a community area.

The football club has more than 150 players from under eights boys teams to the under 16 team. The new facilities are expected to attract many new players, including girls' teams.

Vicky went missing as she walked home from a nightclub in September 1999. A murder inquiry was launched after her body was found a week later in a ditch 24 miles away at Creeting St Peter.

WEBLINK: www.footballfoundation.org.uk