A THURROCK woman is following in the footsteps of her famous dad and is being recognised as something of a heroine in the East Thurrock area for her contribution to local charities helping combat coronavirus.

Modestly, Danielle Pasquale, whose dad is Grays-born comedian Joe Pasquale, has played down her efforts but her friends contacted Thurrock Nub News to commend her for the work she is doing.

It seems helping out is a family trait for the Pasquales, several of whom are well-known in the Corringham area for their charitable efforts, including a strong association with the Stanford and Corringham Carnival.

Joe, who now lives in Kent, was featured on BBC's the One Show recently volunteering with the Helping Hands Home Care charity to support with the delivery of personal proactive equipment (PPE) throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The winner of the fourth series of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2004 should have been reprising his much-acclaimed on stage role of Frank Spencer on the UK tour of Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, but with coronavirus bringing theatre life to a halt he has found another way to pass his time.

Joe, who left jobs and a meat trader and spot welder behind to become a holiday camp entertainer before finding fame when he came second in TV's New Faces competition in 1987, has been visiting many hospitals in the south East, including Basildon and Thurrock.

Vital equipment

On Friday 2, Monday 6. Thursday 16 and Friday 17 April, Joe delivered the equipment to ten branches in and around the London area in which he lives, including Basildon, Chelmsford, Harlow, Chigwell, Dartford, Dulwich, Bromley, Barnet, Kensington & Chelsea and Highbury & Islington.

The PPE equipment that Joe delivered included hand sanitiser, face shields and high-protection FFP2 respiratory masks – vital equipment that is needed to protect front-line workers. Joe's volunteering support was been filmed by BBC's The One Show and aired recently.

Julie Davies, Area Care Manager for the branches that Joe visited, said: "He was a very genuine, down-to-earth and friendly guy. It was such a lovely encounter for our branches, and it was something that made the whole team smile."

Laura Baldwin, Care Coordinator for the Harlow branch, said: "It was amazing to have Joe come into our branch and deliver PPE. He was so happy; it really made our day.

"I am so proud of everyone here at Helping Hands, they all work so hard in supporting our customers and they were thrilled that Joe was going out of his way to help them, whilst they're out delivering high quality care during these unusual times."

And in Thurrock his daughter Danielle, 40, is making no less an impression.

Designated a key worker in keeping food supplies going at Tesco at Pitsea, where she works nights, Danielle finds she has time to turn her daytime hand to other things apart from running a family home for partner David and three children and lots of charitable causes have benefited

"I've always been community-minded, my mum drilled it into us" says the mum of Thomas, 18, Olivia, 15, and RonnieScott, nine. "One of my children was quite ill and the NHS played a big part in his life so I have always been committed to helping them.

"One of the things we've done as a family is make key worker 'key rings' which we sell to raise money for needy causes at this time. Currently we are supporting the Salvation Army to help feed the homeless at this critical time."

"I don't feel I am anything special"

Danielle is also a co-ordinator and drop-off point for the locally-based Facebook group, Supplies for NHS Hospital Staff Basildon & Thurrock, which has managed to deliver thousands of items of PPE to local hospitals and care homes. If anyone wishes to donate supplies they can do so through the contacts on the page.

And Danielle is also very active with the Covid Support group, and social-media-based charity that ensures essential supplies are delivered to the homes of local vulnerable people.

"I'm no different from a lot of people, I don't feel I am anything special, lots of people are doing things. You just do what you can and because I am at Tesco I have been able to help with the food supplies, ensuring that people can get things that might be in short supply. I don't want singling out, doing what I do is thanks enough for me."

But others dare to differ and say Danielle, - and dad Joe – are examples of the best of Thurrock's caring community.

One of her friends Charlotte Davies, who has a vulnerable child of her own whose own bravery was recently featured on Thurrock Nub News, says: "Don't let Danielle tell you otherwise. She has been helping so many people. She has been shopping for people even though she's a key worker and has three children at home.

"I think what she is doing for people is wonderful especially still working through the crisis, and taking care of, and home schooling her children too.

"She's has helped us out twice now and loads more people around Stanford and Corringham too.

"Not for any recognition at all just because she wants to be able to help people. And she is an NHS drop off volunteer for scrub bags and ear savers. She also organise scrub bags to pass onto the Brompton Hospital which my daughter supports. It would be lovely to acknowledge her efforts and say thank-you."

Thurrock Nub News is delighted to do just that.