THE Gazette has been at the centre of the community for the past 50 years.

This week is Journalism Matters week and runs until October 11.

It is shining a light on the work of the press and how we are supporting our communities.

And that means not only reporting on news and informing our readers but fighting their corner too.

In the 50 years we have been printed we have fought for justice and campaigned on a number of issues to help make Colchester - and further afield - a better place.

Read more >>> Queen praises the work of newspapers during the pandemic

Here is a look at four occasions we have fought for Colchester.

Colchester Hospital cancer centre campaign

The biggest campaign in our history was the £3.25million Cancer Centre Campaign.

Colchester Hospital had a state-of-the-art radiotherapy suite, but chemotherapy was still being provided in a cramped, temporary building a quarter of a mile away on the other side of the hospital.

The campaign was launched to build a new cancer centre which would provide the life-saving treatment in good surroundings as well as a range of complementary therapies and support services.

The campaign started in 2014 and today, patients are treated in one of the most modern centres in the country - thanks to the phenomenal donations and fundraising initiatives by the north Essex public.

Cassie's Law

In 2013, the Gazette played its part in changing the law following the tragic death of Cassie McCord.

Cassie, who was a student at Colchester Sixth Form College, was 16 when she was killed by driver Colin Horsfall.

The 87-year-old drove into her as she stood on a pavement in Head Street, Colchester.

Only days before he had driven into the exit of a petrol station in Highwoods, Colchester.

Police had asked him to take an eyesight test which he failed and they then asked him to give up his driving licence.

He refused and police were powerless to act other than the lengthy process of applying for his licence to be rescinded by the DVLA.

With Cassie’s mother, Jackie, and the support of the then MP Sir Bob Russell, we campaigned for this loophole in the law to be closed.

A total of 45,000 signatures were presented to Road Safety Minister Stephen Hammond who agreed applications from the police to revoke the licences of unfit drivers could be fast-tracked through the DVLA.

It meant their licences could be seized almost immediately.

Cassie’s Law has since been implemented across the country and has been credited with saving hundreds of lives.

Help for Heroes - Hope on the Horizon appeal

The Gazette also stepped in to support Help for Heroes.

The military charity had a centre in Colchester packed with facilities to help in the recovery of injured servicemen and women.

But what it didn’t have was a garden, a quiet calming space where the injured veterans and their families could just get away from it all and find some peace.

A sanctuary is especially vital in helping to repair the invisible wounds of traumas suffered both during war and afterwards.

With the charity, the Gazette launched the £100,000 Hope on the Horizon appeal.

Within weeks the target was met thanks to donations from businesses and donors from north Essex and beyond.

The garden was designed by Matthew Keightley and went on to win the People’s Choice Award at the Chelsea Flower Show.

More importantly, it was built at Chavasse VC House and provided a beautiful and peaceful oasis to the servicemen and women who have served us with such bravery.

Raising £100,000 for Lexden Springs

The Gazette brought smiles to the faces of children at Lexden Springs School in Colchester - 100,000 of them.

The school cares for children with severe learning difficulties.

Play is fundamental to their learning and wellbeing.

However, the school only had a limited playground and little equipment which could be used by the children.

The 100,000 Smiles appeal was launched to raise £100,000 to build a new playground.

Again, our wonderful readers stepped forward and raised funds and donated money to make the dream become a reality.

Thanks to your generosity, a bespoke playground was built which brought untold joy to the children.