A VOLUNTARY group from Thurrock has been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Services – the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank is among 230 charities, social enterprises and volunteer-led groups working in the community to receive the prestigious award in 2020.

Deb Huelin, cabinet member for communities, said: “I am incredibly proud that St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank has been acknowledged for the outstanding work that its volunteers do across Thurrock. All of our voluntary organisations provide a wonderful service for our community’s wellbeing and we are grateful to every one of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

“The winners have been informed of their success and will receive this prestigious award from Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, at a ceremony later this year. Congratulations to St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank for its well-deserved success.”

The group was described as “bringing about change through the hard work, innovation and determination of volunteers, delivering services to a disadvantaged local community bringing cohesion and a positive outlook.”