MALMESBURY’S iconic abbey was bathed in purple light on Thursday night to mark World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

The team at the abbey joined hundreds of other individuals and organisations across the UK in uniting as part of the Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer campaign.

The event aimed to show support for people with pancreatic cancer and to remember those who have sadly died of the disease, while also raising awareness of a disease that suffers from a chronic lack of awareness and funding.

As darkness fell on Thursday, the abbey was lit up to show their support for the campaign.

Corston resident Teresa Coupland’s mother Marie, who was a fitness instructor, died of pancreatic cancer last year.

She said of the Purple Lights campaign: “It is about remembering loved ones who have died of this terrible disease and about spreading awareness of the symptoms and the lack of research funding.

“I would like to thank the abbey for agreeing to light up the building to throw the spotlight on pancreatic cancer.”

More than 9,000 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year and only five per cent of those diagnosed with pancreatic cancer survive five years or more.

Despite being the UK’s fifth biggest cancer killer, the disease receives just one and a half per cent of UK cancer research funding.

Nic Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe and chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pancreatic Cancer said: “Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer is a striking and effective way to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer in November.

“One person dies of pancreatic cancer every hour, and the disease has the lowest survival rate of all the 21 common cancers, so it is vital that people find out more about it.

“We’d like to thank all those who are supporting the campaign and helping to light up the UK in purple this November.”

If anyone would like to take part or find out more about Purple Lights for pancreatic cancer, visit purplelightsuk.org or e-mail info@purplelights.org.uk