THURROCK Council and Community Volunteer Service is continuing to celebrate the good work of volunteers in the borough.

Both organisations were key players in setting up the Thurrock Coronavirus Community Action Group It has now been 38 days since lockdown was announced and they have announced 475 residents have signed up as volunteers.

They have delivered on almost 850 requests for help received by Thurrock CVS – amounting to an estimated 3,825 hours of voluntary time.

In the second of a series of tributes to some of the people involved, the action group is sharing the story of some of its volunteers.

Kay, 49, a foster carer from Grays, signed up to be a registered volunteer in early April, and after verification, she's already been put to work collecting some shopping before the May bank holiday.

She said: "My three foster children are still at school and my husband is working from home. I just wanted to help, I don't mind where I travel, what I need to do, as long as I'm helping somebody - then sign me up!

"I've been fostering since the beginning of 2013, before then – for your readers who remember – I used to work at the Odeon cinema over at Lakeside retail park.

"I've helped out Age UK from time to time, did some shopping for two elderly residents, and I'm still keeping my eye on them during this difficult time.

"I'm sitting here doing nothing. I'll do what it takes"

"Originally, I signed up for a few of the groups looking for help, the NHS and Basildon Community ones.

"The way I see it is I'm sitting here doing nothing, I would care for somebody if I was asked for help every single day, as long as my house is sorted, my husband and children are okay and happy – I'll do whatever it takes!

"It makes me so sad to think how desperate people must be right now, how scary it must be for some, in particularly for our older neighbours. They are the ones that would never normally raise a hand and ask for help, and I'm proud to be there for them when they do.

"The process has been really smooth, the form was easy to fill in and I knew there would be a wait to get things all squared up. I submitted my expenses for the shop on Tuesday and was paid a day later. No problem.

"One of the things I'm proud to do with my children is ask them 'What three kind things have you done today?'. It helps celebrate kindness, but also encourages everybody, every day, to do small acts which may help others."

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer with the Thurrock Coronavirus Community Action Group, you can register here.

If you're unable to volunteer but would still like to help, the council is asking residents to consider making a donation to Giving for Thurrock (GiFT) [L] https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/donate?cid=135850&utm_campaign=CTDonateButton&utm_content=135850&utm_source=charitytoolkit&utm_medium=charitydonatebutton&wl=1&br=22&bc=e6af1f%20target=_blankimg%20src=https://resources.giveasyoulive.com/images/donations/button-rect-donate-navy.png?cid=135850%20alt=Donate%20through%20Give%20as%20you%20Live%20Donate%20width=auto%20//a#1 [+] here.[.L].