THURROCK good causes have received a windfall as the coronavris-busting activities of an award-winning Thurrock teenager have finally wound down.

In May Thurrock Nub News reported on the efforts of Chafford hundred young apprentice Josh Bateman.

Josh, a former student at Harris Chafford Hundred Academy, is a 17-year-old who is working as an electrical and mechanical engineering apprentice with buildings and maintenance engineering company KCE FM, based on the Isle of Dogs.

He was furloughed from his apprenticeship so decided to put his 3D printing skills to good use at home and set up a production line making personal protection masks for key NHS workers, emergency service staff and carers.

His efforts won him a Jack Petchey Foundation award.

Josh was supported by the local community and his employers and set up a Go Fund Me page to raise funds for materials. It proved incredibly popular and a surplus was created which Josh said would go to local good causes when he felt his services as a mask maker were no longer required or and he returned to work.

That time has come and the fundraising page has been closed and the surplus distributed. In total the page raised £5412.54. After materials and printers were bought £2,500 has gone to local charities! £500 to Thurrock Mind, £500 to the Thurrock Food Bank, £500 to BOSP (Brighter Opportunities for Special People) and £1,000 to Chafford Hundred Community First Responders.

Proud mum Vicky says: "It's been a busy few months, for Josh especially, manning the printers to the early hours of the morning in those first few weeks of the pandemic and we're very proud to say that we managed to distribute 2,156 face shields in total!

"Thank you to each and every person that donated, we are very grateful. Please stay safe."