AROUND 200 people braved the bitter cold and turned out for a memorial march to call for an end to violence and remember the five women recently killed in Ipswich.

AROUND 200 people braved the bitter cold and turned out for a memorial march to call for an end to violence and remember the five women recently killed in Ipswich.

The crowds gathered on the town's Cornhill shortly before 7pm last night to pay their respects following the deaths of prostitutes Anneli Alderton, Annette Nicholls, Tania Nicol, Paula Clennell and Gemma Adams.

The event, called Reclaim the Night, attracted people from as far away as Birmingham, Wales and Portsmouth as well as men and women, young and old, from the local area.

It was organised to give female members of the community in particular an opportunity to voice their concerns about violence towards women.

Anna Moy, 24, from Bixley Drive in Ipswich, said: “I wanted to come along and pay my respects because it was such a terrible thing that happened.

“The girls who died were around the same age as me and I think it touched everyone in the town. It's important that something positive can come out such an awful situation.”

Following speeches by representatives from the Ipswich and district Trade Union Council and the English Collective of Prostitutes, mourners carried candles and waved banners on a slow march to Handford Road in the red-light area, where a minute's silence was held.

Rebecca Dale, who helped organise the event, said: “We wanted to provide space for people to express there emotions together rather than feel isolated or afraid in their own houses and to encourage people to talk about what has happened.

“Women should be allowed to walk around wherever they want and dress however they want without fear of attack.

“This event is about reclaiming public space for women and empowering women to prevent them from feeling afraid to go out at night.”

Steven Wright, 48, of London Road, Ipswich, appeared in court last Friday charged with murdering the women.

nDonations are continuing to flood in for the Gemma's Gift Appeal, which is raising money for Ipswich Children's Hospice in memory of the 25-year-old.

To donate to the appeal call 01473 324847. Phones will be manned between 9am to 5pm on Tuesday, and at the same time on each following weekday.

Messages can be left out of these hours and all calls will be returned. To donate securely online, visit www.justgiving.com/gemmasgift

You can also make a secure donation by logging onto the East Anglian Daily Times website - www.eadt.co.uk - and following the necessary links.

You can also donate via post by sending a cheque (payable to EACH) to: East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), 6 Walker Close, Ipswich, IP3 8LY.