Published:
6:09 PM December 2, 2018
Updated:
12:48 PM October 6, 2020
A brave four-old boy who is battling a rare form of cancer switched-on the Christmas lights in Dereham, after arriving in a police van.
Denver Clinton ready to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights with his sister Savannah. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Denver Clinton, from Mattishall, who loves police cars, started the big countdown at 5pm on Sunday, December 2.
Kerry Doyle, from the Dereham Carnival Committee, which organised the event, said: 'It went really well and Denver loved it. There was not a dry eye in the place. Everyone enjoyed it. We estimate that we had between 4,500 and 5,000 people at the event. We've had overwhelming support from the community.'
The switch-on event was part of a day of family fun, with craft stalls, live music, food and drink.
Denver was diagnosed with stage four high-risk neuroblastoma and has been fighting the disease ever since by undergoing high doses of chemotherapy, bone marrow aspirations and blood transfusions. Unfortunately, the family recently received the devastating news that Denver was no longer responding to treatment.
Denver Clinton, right, ready to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights, with Lee Rudd. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Five-year-old Harriet Noble and her brother Isaac, three, at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Denver Clinton wowed by the Dereham Christmas lights after he pulled the switch. With him are his family, sister Savannah, mum Wanda, front right, and family friend Jo Marshall. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Imogen Smith, three, in awe at the Dereham Christmas lights and tree, with her dad Gary. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Denver Clinton, left, pulls the lever to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights with help from Lee Rudd. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Ready for the Dereham Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Denver Clinton, left, ready to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights with help from Lee Rudd. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Denver Clinton ready to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Ready for the Dereham Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
The crowd joins in with the Baby Shark song at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
The crowd joins in with the Baby Shark song at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Savannah Clinton sings a song she wrote for her brother Denver at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Members of the Dereham Town Band play at the Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Members of the Dereham Town Band play at the Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Crystal Constable, eight, and her sister Skye Butters, 10, at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
The Rev Nigel Bayley, minister at Dereham Baptist Church, reads a Bible passage at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Happy crowds sing carols at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Happy crowds sing carols at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018
Characters thrill the crowds at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY
- Credit: Copyright: Archant 2018