Plan for Joe Dix Foundation in honour of Norwich stab victim

Joe Dix, 18, was killed in Vale Green, Mile Cross, last year and a trial for three teenagers charged with his murder and a fourth for assisting an offender is due to take place at the end of this month.

Following his death, Joe's mum Emma made the decision to start a charity in order to raise awareness of knife crime and launch a helpline for those concerned their child is involved in activities which could put them at risk.

Mrs Dix, who lives in Salhouse, has already begun fundraising for the launch with raffles and a quiz night, with a website for the Joe Dix Foundation being set up.

Emma Dix, mother of Joe Dix who has launched the Joe Dix Foundation at a fundraising quiz (Image: Emma Dix)

She said: "We always knew we couldn't let Joe's death be pointless. and that we needed to use his story to help other people.

"Fortunately, we were approached by a couple who have lots of experience setting up charities. They have helped us register with the Charity Commission, creating our constitution, create a board of trustees and open a bank account.

"We can't quite launch it until the court stuff is over, but we really want to teach people that this can happen to anyone regardless of their background."

Joe Dix's sister Bethany in action preparing for Swan Lake (Image: English Youth Ballet)

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Plans come as Joe's sister Bethany, 15, prepares to perform in Swan Lake with English Youth Ballet at Norwich Theatre Royal next week, something she says has helped her through her grief.

Mrs Dix added: "We're really proud of her, obviously she isn't even 16 until this week and is still going through grief - she has just ploughed all of that energy into dance.

"When we've been out of court I've been driving Bethany around to audition for dance schools across the country and she's going to start at KS Dance in Warrington in September."

Joe Dix, who was stabbed to death in Mile Cross last year (Image: Archant)

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Bethany, who has just finished at Hethersett Academy, added: "Dancing makes me not think about what happened.

"It will be difficult when I move to KS Dance to keep involved with the foundation, but I hope to be included in decision-making and putting forward ideas.

"I like helping with the raffles."

The Joe Dix story so far

Joe Dix died after being stabbed three times in Vale Green, Mile Cross, shortly before 7pm on January 28 last year.

He was treated at the scene and taken to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 8pm.

Vale Green in Mile Cross following the stabbing last year (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Armed police were also called to the scene and an investigation was launched while officers increased patrols in the area.

Following the incident, Cameron Palmer, 18, Hans Beeharry and Benjamin Gil, both 19, were all charged with murder.

A fourth defendant, Yaman Uslu, 18, was also on trial accused of assisting an offender.

All deny the charges and a trial is due to start at Norwich Crown Court on Monday, July 31.