Clacton Pier will be going purple to help children’s charity Action Medical Research mark World Prematurity Day.

The seaside attraction will light up its lilac illuminations from November 16 to November 17.

Nigel Brown, the Pier’s Communications Manager, said: “We are proud to be able to support charities with our lighting system whenever possible and this is such a worthwhile cause and help raise awareness.”

Action is the leading UK-wide charity funding vital research to help sick and disabled babies, children and young people.

Last year it launched its BORN TOO SOON campaign to help shine the spotlight on premature birth.

The aim is to raise £1 million by the end of 2020.

As part of this, the charity is asking people to ‘Go Purple’ throughout November.

Head of Individual Giving and Fundraising Development for Action Jo Mainwood says: “Every year in the UK, around 60,000 babies are born prematurely. Sadly, over 1,000 babies die as a result of being born too soon. And globally, premature birth is the biggest killer of children under 5.

“That’s why we’re raising money this November to fund vital research that could save lives.

“We are absolutely delighted that Clacton Pier will literally be helping us shine a light on such a serious issue and we thank everyone in the town for their kind support.”

There are many ways that you too could help support Action’s BORN TOO SOON campaign by ‘going purple’.

From purple bake-offs to purple dress-down days, there are lots of fun fundraising ideas on the charity website (https://action.org.uk/born-too-soon/get-involved/go-purple).

Action Medical Research is a UK-wide children’s charity which funds desperately needed research to tackle the diseases that devastate the lives of so many of our children. It has been funding medical breakthroughs since it began in 1952 including helping to introduce the first polio vaccines in the UK, developing the use of ultrasound in pregnancy and testing the rubella vaccine.

Action is currently funding research into areas including premature birth, epilepsy, asthma, scarlet fever, cerebral palsy, brain cancer and some rare and distressing conditions.

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