AN appeal has gone out from a Thurrock-based charity that supports the homeless in Thurrock and London.

The Friends of Essex and London Homeless is once again organising its Christmas Rucksack Appeal which will see much-needed items handed out to those who are without a place to call their home this Christmas.

A statement from the charity, which runs a regular Friday soup kitchen outside Grays Baptist Church, says: "After last few years' successful rucksack appeals we are looking to replicate this at our 2022 Christmas soup kitchens. We are looking to hand out more than 300 rucksacks full of Christmas love and goodies.

"We are hoping schools, cubs, scouts, brownies and other children's clubs plus any local adult groups, families, businesses and individuals will come forward to help someone less fortunate than themselves and dispense some festive spirit.

"You can also help and not only make their day but more importantly make a difference and potentially help save a life."

The charity will fill the rucksacks with donated items including socks, gloves, hats, chocolates and selection boxes, small bottles of water, toothbrushes and toothpaste, packet wipes and deodorant.

All filled rucksacks can be dropped off at any of points in the borough and Upminster.

The closing date for dropping off will be Friday, 9 December to allow volunteers to collate and arrange for the distribution which will take place in Charing Cross on Wednesday, 21 December and Grays on Sunday, 23 December.

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Donations can be dropped off at any of the following places but it is stressed that duvets, quilts, pillows, bedding or towels cannot be accepted and bootsale or bric-a-brac items are not wanted at this point.

Hattons Solicitors main office, 90 Orsett Road, Grays RM17 5ER (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). All drop offs must be left outside of the main front entrance door (as this locked). Knock when you drop or call when you are outside to make them aware you've dropped items. The number is 01375374851

Pauline Dyal, 15 Corbets Avenue, Upminster, RM142EG. Call 07733 382816 first to arrange best day and time for drop off.

Raines Hair and Beauty Clinic, 5 Crammavill Street, Stifford Clays, RM162AP. Call first on 01375394100 to arrange best day and time for drop off. (Monday 9-6, Tuesday 9-9, Wednesday 9-6, Thursday 9-9, Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-5 and Sunday 10-3.