Dereham Cancer Care hold second purple day in the town

Zoe Flint, manager at Dereham Cancer Care, has thanked the town for getting behind its second Turning Dereham Purple Day on March 13 in memory of its founder Janet Money.

The remarkable charity worker, who supported the lives of hundreds of people throughout Norfolk, died in December 2020 aged 73. 

The Railway Tavern in Dereham was covered in balloons during Turning Dereham Purple Day (Image: Paul Sandford)

Miss Flint said: “People of Dereham have surpassed my expectations, all the businesses, schools, and people who got involved.

“Even at the leisure centre, where I am a part-time teacher, when I went to work and saw the decorations in reception everyone was so kind and thoughtful.

“I am just speechless about the whole thing, everyone has been so supportive.”

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There was also a service held at St Nicholas Church, for Turning Dereham Purple Day (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The whole town was involved with the event, the charity believing around 30 businesses created purple displays in their windows, as well as local groups, Dereham Town Council flying its purple flag, and even Breckland Council lighting up its office in the colour.

There was also a service held at St Nicholas Church, where people were invited to light a candle for those living with cancer, or who have died from the disease.

Janet Money at the Dereham Cancer Care Centre (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)

They asked people to donate purple hearts to feature in a hanging artwork. It saw 830 hearts sown to it.

Purple hearts which are associated with Dereham Cancer Care (Image: Sonya Duncan)

But the most important thing for the group was for those who need its services to find them.

“One volunteer was walking through town with their purple t-shirt on and someone said ‘That is the group’, and they are coming in to see us, that is what it is all about, reaching those who do not know us,” Miss Flint added.

"All our volunteers have worked so hard to turn this day into a reality, as we expand the charity as it grows." 

Due to the overwhelming success of the day, the charity confirmed that this will be an annual event, with Turning Dereham Purple Day set to return in 2025.

Children and staff at Dereham Church of England Infant and Nursery Academy took part in Turning Dereham Purple Day (Image: Dereham Church of England Infant and Nursery Academy)