THE communities of Horndon on the Haill, Stanford-le-Hope and Corringham came together yesterday (Monday, 18 March) to say farewell to a popular local character.

The funeral took place of James 'Jimmy' Murphy, a rough sleeper who made the communities of East Thurrock his home over recent years.

He passed away in Corringham on Christmas Eve and was set to have a national health funeral and be buried in an unmarked plot in Grays new cemetery.

However, the local community stepped in, and with support from Corringham funeral directors DJC Cotton & Sons who offered their services free, a crowd-funding appeal met all the other expenses. It remains open and any surplus will be shared among local good causes supporting the homeless and also Tilbury Seafarers Mission, reflecting Jimmy's life as amember of the merchant navy.

Contributions can still be made by this link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/james-jimmy-murphy. A full account of all costs and the surplus will be published after Jimmy's ashes are scattered on the Thames at a date to be arranged.

Yesterday's service at Pitsea crematorium, conducted by Rev Tom Rout and Rev Sue Mann reflected on Jimmy's life and the impact he made locally.

Prior to arriving at Pitsea, Jimmy's funeral procession took in Stanford and Corringham town centres. In Corringham a spontaneous round of applause broke out as his coffin stopped for a moment close to where his body was discovered.

Film of the funeral procession and the service was broadcast live on Thurrock Nub News' Facebook page and has been viewed by more than 25,000 people.

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After the service Jimmy was remembered at Corringham Social Club, where refreshments were kindly provided.