THE parents of Gemma Adams said a massive “thank you” last night after an appeal set up in their daughter's memory broke through the £25,000 barrier.Since being launched in the EADT in December, Gemma's Gift has raised the equivalent of a thousand pounds for each year of the tragic 25-year-old's life.

THE parents of Gemma Adams said a massive “thank you” last night after an appeal set up in their daughter's memory broke through the £25,000 barrier.

Since being launched in the EADT in December, Gemma's Gift has raised the equivalent of a thousand pounds for each year of the tragic 25-year-old's life.

Last night, Brian and Gail Adams said they wanted to thank the community for the incredible support given to their family and the appeal, which is in aid of the Ipswich Children's Hospice.

Gemma was one of five women whose bodies were found at locations around Ipswich in December.

All five had worked in the town's red-light district before they went missing.

Speaking from the family's Kesgrave home, Mr Adams said: “Money has come from so many different sources that we haven't been able to personally thank everybody but we want to people to know how grateful we are.

“As far as we're concerned, as a family, we've gained a lot of strength and a great deal of pleasure from being able to play a part in that giving.”

Mrs Adams said reaching the milestone of £25,000 was extra special.

She said: “It feels very poignant to have reached the £25,000 mark, which is a thousand pounds for each year of Gemma's life.

“We want to carry on raising money, simply because the cause is so worthwhile. The appeal is ongoing and will be for some while yet.

“Without having the appeal to focus on during the early days it would have been extremely difficult to carry on at all. By having it, coupled with the support we've received from all of our family and friends, we've been able to cope.”

Hundreds of people have supported Gemma's Gift, with many giving online and others passing money on to the family to be added to the total.

Donations ranging from £5 to £500 have been made, with numerous small amounts adding up to the huge sum.

Some of the cash has been donated by family and friends of the Adams family, but the vast majority has come from people not known to them. Each donation has been left with a poignant message of grief at the loss of Gemma and the four other victims and also support for the friends and families left behind.

Mr Adams said: “It has provided everyone with an opportunity to show their feelings. Many people wanted to do something and this has given them a means of doing just that.”

He added the money has been “so gratefully received by the hospice”.

“We have been told the money is going to be used for music and light therapy and for the purchase of various musical instruments,” he said.

“It will be spent in several different areas which will be hugely beneficial to improving the quality of life of the children at the hospice.”

n To donate to Gemma's Gift, visit www.justgiving.com/gemmasgift or call 01473 324847 or send a cheque (payable to EACH) to: East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), 6 Walker Close, Ipswich, IP3 8LY. Please mark your donation 'GEMMA'S GIFT'.

n Steve Wright, 48, of London Road, Ipswich, has been charged with the murder of all five women and is due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on May 1.

n The bodies of Gemma, Tania Nicol, 19, Anneli Alderton, 24, Paula Clennell, 24, and Annette Nicholls, 29, were found at locations around Ipswich between December 2 and 12.