THURROCK Council is getting into the Christmas spirit this year by making it their mission to supply children across Thurrock with gifts to open on the big day.

Give a Gift by Thurrock Council, in partnership with intu Lakeside, has pledged to give gifts to lots of children and young people across Thurrock this Christmas – but we need your help.

For some children across Thurrock, Christmas can be a challenging and uncertain time. Their parents may be unwell or unable to provide a Christmas like many of us know or would want for our own families.

From Friday November 25 until Tuesday December 20, a dedicated Give a Gift tree will be installed at The Lounge of Level 2 at intu Lakeside with extra special decorations.

The decorations this year will be name tags and each tag will represent one of the hundreds of Thurrock children who may not have a present to open this year or who might be away from their families.

These children are from Thurrock’s fostering service or those who need extra help and support from children’s services Sue Little, councillor for children’s social care said: “There are plenty of ways for everybody to get involved; most importantly, please do come along to see the tree and Give a Gift to Thurrock child.

“Being a councillor means we also have responsibility of being a corporate parent to children who are in the care of the local authority. I take that responsibility extremely seriously, and it is an honour to be involved in something which will make a real difference.

“This is a wonderful scheme which will help hundreds of children who this year might go without.

“I want to thank the team at intu Lakeside for supporting the project and giving us a prime spot ensuring it’s easy to find for everybody to get involved.

“Donating a gift during your shopping trip is the perfect way to help make Thurrock’s children feel special too at Christmas.”

For more information on Give a Gift, please visit: thurrock.gov.uk/giveagift or follow us on social media to stay up to date - #ThurrockGift