THANKS have been expressed to the Tilbury, Chadwell St Mary and wider Thurrock community linked to the Gateway Academy after a significant donation of goods which are to be shipped to the Ukraine to help those displaced or affected by the current war.

The Academy acted as a collecting point for donations of food, tents, blankets, medicines and many other essential items which have now been despatched today (Friday, 4 March).

Head of School Miss Grainne McLaughlin has thanked all those who supported the appeal for items, particularly one of the parents, Mr Savage, who came up with the idea.

She said: "I just want to say a massive, massive thank-you to the whole Gateway Learning Community for your generosity. It is really overwhelming.

"Thank-you to our pupils, our parents, our staff and our local businesses. We are an incredible place, an incredible community and this support is overwhelming."