Building work to create a sanctuary for women battling addictions in a village north of Ipswich is well underway, the charity at the heart of the development has revealed.

Talitha Koum aims to create a haven for women, helping them to face up to their addictions and forge a new path to recovery.

The project, which received a £20,000 boost from The Star’s Somebody’s Daughter appeal set up in the wake of the Ipswich murders in 2006, has also been backed by local tradesmen and apprentices.

Chair of trustees Peter Matthews said it is exciting to see the first accomodation block taking shape.

“I am so pleased that we can now see visual evidence that Talitha Koum is coming out of the ground,” he said.

“The timber frame for the first accommodation block stands proudly on the site and the vision is beginning to happen.”

Volunteer building coordinator Peter Harper added: “It has been exciting over the last couple of months to see further progress.

“We have had two volunteer days where the site was prepared ready to receive the timber frame building.

“It is great to see the timber frame erected and it is important for Talitha Koum to work with local businesses who share in our vision.

“Ipswich Timber Frames has come on board and made a real contribution to the project.”

The accommodation centre is just one element of the Talitha Koum project. The other key section will see the creation of the Hope Centre, which will be the hub of TK where the women students will cook, eat, work, learn, discuss and relax giving them time and space to recover from their addiction.

The centre is still looking for donations to boost and reach its £500,000 appeal target.

Anyone wishing to contribute or hold an event in honour of the project should contact Talitha Koum, The Orwell Centre, 114 Fore Hamlet, Ipswich IP3 8AF.

Are you fundraising for Talitha Koum? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk