FUNDRAISING efforts and support for a children's hospice by staff and businesses at intu Lakeside regional shopping centre in West Thurrock has resulted in an early Christmas present.

At the start of the year, intu Lakeside partnered with Little Havens Hospice, a charity that provides respite and end of life care for children and young people across Essex and have life-limiting conditions.

Over the year that partnership has blossomed and has been recognised with a cash award from the head of the intu organisation.

Lakeside has been awarded the intu Chairman's Prize for the fundraising taken place throughout 2019 amnd it comes with £4,000 to be donated to Little Havens.

Zoe Jay, Community Fundraiser at Little Havens Hospice said: "Here at Little Havens we really appreciate our partnership with intu Lakeside.

"They have made a huge difference to our organisation, they have raised almost £20,000 for us so far and we still have many months to go, which is incredible!

"intu Lakeside have been able to purchase items from our Little Havens wish list to be enjoyed by our patients and their families.

"We are so lucky, proud and thankful that intu Lakeside chose to support us.

"They really are making a difference to children across Essex living with incurable conditions and their families. Thank you."

In total £18,000 has been raised this year so far, through lots of fun fundraising initiatives involving intu Lakeside staff and retailers.

In September, £4,500 was raised by three intu Lakeside employees who cycled from Thundersley to Bruges.

Shoppers have also donated to the hospice who have visited and fundraised in centre throughout the year.

Howard Oldstein, regional centre director at intu Lakeside, said: "At intu, it's important for us to keep our local communities thriving through strong community partnerships; together with Little Havens Hospice we can support those in need and shine a light on the life-limiting conditions affecting children and young people.

"We are incredibly proud to have been awarded the intu Chairman's Prize, which allows us to offer further support in addition to the fantastic fundraising that has already taken place by our staff, retailers and shoppers this year."

This Christmas, intu Lakeside will be continuing their fundraising initiatives by helping shoppers with their festive to-do list by offering a Christmas Gift Wrapping service in exchange for a donation to Little Haven's Hospice.