THURROCK Council's #GiveAGift campaign has returned for a seventh year, collecting Christmas presents for borough children who are most in need.

Cabinet member for education and childrens' social care Cllr Barry Johnson, says: "We understand that it is a difficult time for many, now more than ever with the cost of living challenges, but we are asking for your generosity to help those children for whom Christmas can be a difficult time of year in Thurrock. A small contribution will make a big difference."

An Amazon Wishlist has launched this morning (Thursday, 17 November), which allows people to select a present from a set list, with gifts ranging from as little as a couple of pounds up to the value of £15 maximum. The wishlist will be open through to Sunday, 4 December.

Alternatively, you can purchase gifts and drop them to a number of locations across the borough between Monday, 21 November and Sunday, 4 December as detailed below:

• Thurrock Council Reception, Grays, RM17 6SL – Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm
• Impulse Leisure Blackshots, RM16 2JU – Monday to Friday 6am to 10pm, Saturday 6am to 5pm or Sunday 8am to 4pm
• Impulse Leisure Corringham, SS17 7ND – Monday to Thursday 6am to 10pm, Friday 6am to 9pm or Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm
• Impulse Leisure Belhus Park Golf and Country Club, RM15 4PX – Monday to Friday 7am to 10pm or Saturday and Sunday 8am to 4pm
• Grays Police Station, RM17 5BX – Monday to Sunday 9am to 5pm

KidEco at Lakeside (located on the ground floor, next to HSBC), will also be a drop off point for two days during the campaign, on Thursday, 24 and Friday, 25 November only. Pop along and meet one of the #GiveAGift team between 10am and 4pm on these dates.

If you are dropping gifts off to any of the drop of locations, they should not be wrapped.

Cllr Johnson added: "It is wonderful that we have been able to introduce drop off locations across the borough this year. Thank you to Impulse Leisure and Essex Police for offering the leisure centres across the borough and Grays Police station to receive donations from the public for #GiveAGift for the duration of the campaign. Thank you also to KidEco.

"Every present is checked, wrapped and hand delivered in time for Christmas Day.

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"We should never underestimate the happiness one present brings a child in need on Christmas morning. Thank you in advance for supporting #GiveAGift 2022."

For more information on #GiveAGift or to make a donation via the Amazon Wishlist visit: thurrock.gov.uk/giveagift