THE Rotary Club of Grays Thurrock held their Presentation of Funds Luncheon recently.

Representatives from the six charities members nominated to support in the club's Christmas fundraising activities attended to collect cheques of £2,000 each.

The charities involved were Great Ormond Street Hospital, Little Havens Hospice, Banardos, the Sunshine Centre in Tilbury, Essex Deaf Children's Society and Treetops School.

The monies were collected through Santa and the sleigh touring around the streets of Grays, Stifford Clays, Chadwell S Mary and Tilbury in the evenings before Christmas.

Collections were also made outside Tescos and Sainsburys plus a collection was made at Orsett Hall's Christmas Fayre Event in November.

Altogether members collected £12,000 which was distributed equally to the six nominated charities.

Club president Elaine Stevens handed over individual cheques at the lunch.

Thanks were also given to several groups who came out to support and help with the collections, including the Cub Scouts, the Air Cadet, the Scouts, Treetops School Staff and staff from Ice White Dental Practice.