THE father of a woman murdered by serial killer Steve Wright has spoken of his pride that a fund set up in her memory is supporting sick children in Suffolk.

THE father of a woman murdered by serial killer Steve Wright has spoken of his pride that a fund set up in her memory is supporting sick children in Suffolk.

Brian and Gail Adams launched the Gemma's Gift appeal following the death of their daughter Gemma Adams.

On Tuesday it will be exactly two years since the 25-year-old's body was found on the outskirts of Ipswich.

Gemma's Gift, which is supported by the EADT, was launched to raise money for Ipswich Children's Hospice, run by East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH). The fund currently stands at almost £30,000.

YesterdayEACH revealed that the money is being used to fund music therapy, play specialists and family support for children with life threatening conditions and complex healthcare needs.

Mr Adams last nighttold of this pride in the fund. “It is a very positive and happy outcome from a very tragic event.

“Obviously we have been watching it over the last two years and we are overjoyed that it has reached that level. It has always been a great comfort to us to have been involved in Gemma's name because it gives us a huge amount of satisfaction that so many people have taken it upon themselves to commit money to such a good cause and for that we are eternally grateful.”

Mr Adams also said his daughter would be pleased with how the fund is helping many sick children.

“She loved children and particularly supported the under-privileged and less well off and she would have been absolutely over the moon and delighted to know that something like this has taken place in her name.”

Simon Hempsall, of EACH, said: “As the fund moves towards £30,000, the impact Gemma's Gift has had for children's hospice services in Suffolk and North Essex has been huge.

“Being able to spend those funds raised on important services like specialist play, music therapy and family support activities, means so much to the children and family members who need EACH's help.

“For a charity that relies on as much as 75% of its funding from the public this funding has been vital. In addition to the money raised, the appeal has given us the opportunity to increase EACH's profile across the region, bringing in many extra benefits and much needed new and continued support from the public.”

With the anniversary approaching of Gemma's body being found, Mr Adams said his family live with her death every day.

“You never get over the loss of a child and that will be with us for the rest of our lives and with us every minute of every day. But we have all managed to get on with our lives and that is what we will do. We have had massive amounts of support from friends and relatives and our extended family is probably closer than before.”

Forklift truck driver Wright, who lived at London Road, Ipswich, was jailed for life in February after being found guilty of murdering Gemma Adams, 25, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29.

Donations can be made at www justgiving com/gemmasgift or sent to East Anglia's Children's Hospices, Quidenham, Norwich NR16 2PH. Donations should be marked Gemma's Gift.

What the £30,000 has paid for:

Art and dance

Music therapy equipment including: a specialist harp, a digital piano and an Apple Mac computer for recording, editing and producing music and videos in family homes and the hospice.

Specialist play and outings

Staffing to deliver specialist play activities and outings, plus the purchase of a range of sensory switches, musical toys, season tickets for local attractions (including Colchester Zoo) and trips to local leisure facilities.

Family support group activity

A family day, sibling group days, bereavement support groups and parent self help groups.