Battling four-year-old arrives in police van ahead of Dereham Christmas lights switch-on

Denver Clinton ready to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights with his sister Savannah. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: 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 (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Five-year-old Harriet Noble and her brother Isaac, three, at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

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 (Image: Archant)

Imogen Smith, three, in awe at the Dereham Christmas lights and tree, with her dad Gary. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Denver Clinton, left, pulls the lever to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights with help from Lee Rudd. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Ready for the Dereham Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Denver Clinton, left, ready to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights with help from Lee Rudd. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Denver Clinton ready to switch on the Dereham Christmas lights. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Ready for the Dereham Christmas lights switch on. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

The crowd joins in with the Baby Shark song at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The crowd joins in with the Baby Shark song at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: 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 (Image: Archant)

Members of the Dereham Town Band play at the Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Members of the Dereham Town Band play at the Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Crystal Constable, eight, and her sister Skye Butters, 10, at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

The Rev Nigel Bayley, minister at Dereham Baptist Church, reads a Bible passage at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Happy crowds sing carols at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Archant)

Happy crowds sing carols at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)

Characters thrill the crowds at the Dereham Christmas lights switch on event. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2018)