Giving for Thurrock, the charity which raises cash for people in the borough, is calling on residents to visit the Give a Gift shop at Lakeside Shopping Centre and donate £10 for a child in need.

Barbara Rice, Mayor of Thurrock, said: “Last year we did phenomenally well in terms of donations.

“We were absolutely overwhelmed with the donations totalling over £7,500.

“We’ve always known how generous the people of Thurrock are and we’re calling on that generosity again to continue helping children in the borough of Thurrock to buy school supplies, attend school trips or for young carers to take the day off to enjoy being a kid."

Residents are being urged to donate before the shop before it closes on December 9, alternatively residents can donate by texting THURROCK10 to 70085 to donate.