Dereham's purple day in tribute to Janet Money a success

From school children to business owners, dozens of individuals and groups from Dereham joined forces to add some colour to their day in memory of Janet Money. 

The charity worker, who died in 2020, helped hundreds of people throughout the county after she founded Dereham Cancer Care (DCC).

A group from Dereham Cancer Care celebrating purple day in tribute to their founder Janet Money - Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

On Monday, March 13, what would have been her birthday, her contribution was marked across the town.

At DCC’s headquarters, staff and volunteers proudly donned Mrs Money’s favourite colour by wearing their eye-catching uniforms, and many more joined in. 

Breckland Council illuminated its offices, staff and pupils at Dereham’s Church Infant and Nursery School wore purple for the day, children at St. Mary's Community Primary School in Beetley stamped purple patterns on themselves, and Jordan Young Independent Funeral Home and Blaine’s of Dereham created colourful displays in their shop windows.

Breckland Council turns its building purple - Picture: Nathan Flatman (Image: Breckland Council)

A spokesperson at Breckland Council said: "Janet’s work through this amazing charity touched thousands of lives across the district. We will remember this courageous person who made such a difference to our community.” 

Pupils from Northgate High School are also getting involved by incorporating the event with Comic Relief and welcoming Zoe Flint, of DCC, at an assembly about the charity.

Dereham's Church Infant and Nursery School all wearing purple - Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

Mrs Flint said: “We have all been incredibly touched by the huge success of our first ever Purple Day in Dereham to mark our founder’s birthday. 

“We hope this is the first one of many, and it goes some way to helping raise both the profile of the charity and the devastation that can be caused by cancer, with one in two people affected.” 

• Visit derehamcancercare.co.uk to find out more.

Teddy Secker, 8, of St. Mary's Community Primary School, Beetley, takes part in purple day - Picture: Secker family (Image: Submitted)

Mabel Secker, 6, of St. Mary's Community Primary School, Beetley, takes part in purple day - Picture: Secker family (Image: Submitted)

Paul Sandford, of The Railway Tavern, Dereham, with a Dereham Cancer Care flag behind him - Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

A tribute in Dereham to Janet Money - Picture: Submitted (Image: Dereham Cancer Care)

Jordan Young Independent Funeral Home with its purple window display - Picture: Jordan Young (Image: Submitted)

Blaine's of Dereham decorated in tribute to Janet Money - Picture: Blaine's (Image: Submitted)