A TWO-time Olympian from Thurrock and her adoptive mother are set to be awarded the Freedom of the Borough along with a World War Two hero and a historian.

A report to this week's meeting of the full council (Wednesday, 21 May) confirms javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread and surrogate mum Margaret Whitbread will be bestowed with the highest civic award

Ms Whitbread, 64, spent the first 14 years of her life in children's homes after being abandoned as a baby before being welcomed into javelin coach Margaret's home where her sporting skills flourished.

The turning point in her life came after she was moved to a local children's home and visited Harriers' stadium at Blackshots. Trying javelin for the first time, she never looked back after coach Margaret took her under her wing.

Outside her sporting achievements Faitma has been a campaigning advocate for children's rights and went on to win the Helen Rollason Award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023.

The decision to award Fatima and Margaret freedom of the borough was actually passed by the council in January last year, following unanimous support for a motion by Cllr Neil Speight. Unfortunately, though it has been scheduled a couple of times, Margaret's recent ill health has not made a formal event possible yet

In a report to Wednesday's meeting, Jenny Shade, principal democratic services officer, said: "Both had brought distinction by being recognised for their tremendous contributions to the community and sport and continued to pour their energy into using their platform to help others, advocating for, and creating awareness of children in the care system in order to give them "a voice so they can be seen, heard and valued".

Granting the Freedom of the Borough allows councillors to formally recognise exceptional contributions to the civic life of Thurrock and promotes the work and activities of people in the community.

Al;so last year the Council established an Honours and Awards Panel with a new Freedom of the Borough Protocol to help manage awards in future years. Members were encouraged to submit nominations for the award throughout December 2024 and two applications were made.

The honour will also be bestowed on Jim Gooding who served with distinction in Bomber Command during World War II and has spent decades supporting the veteran community in Grays and in wider Thurrock. he was nominated by Cllr George Coxshall.

Ms Shade said Mr Gooding had "improved the lives of residents by supporting the RAF Wings Appeal each year at an advanced age of 99 years. He supports veterans less well off than himself, for example arranging and supporting the funeral of a veteran with no family in the borough".

Mr Gooding was also recognised by former borough mayor Cllr James Halden, who enlisted him on the borough's roll of honour in July 2022.

Historian Mike Ostler, another to have been added to the roll of honour by Cllr Halden in October 2022, will also be given the prestigious freedom award for attending a large amount of Thurrock events and promoting Thurrock history in schools and community. he was nominated by Cllr Val Morris-Cook.

In the report, Mr Ostler is said to have been pivotal in the opening of and developing the Purfleet Heritage Centre, Bata Heritage and Coalhouse Fort, ensuring Thurrock does not forget its past.