CHARITIES and local community groups across Thurrock have benefitted thanks to the efforts of staff at the borough's IKEA store.

Representatives of many organisations attended a presentation at the West Thurrock store at the weekend to receive vouchers to spend on a wide range of goods stocked there.

The vouchers were donated after fundraising by the store and staff at the popular store at Lakeside.

IKEA's REFA (Renewable Electricity For All) campaign was sent to all IKEA family members and raised £60 for each person that switched, helping to raise nearly £3,000 for IKEA's charity pot.

Money was also contributed from other staff themed fundraising days such as 'wear a wig' day and other activities throughout the year.

The vouchers were then presented to the Giving for Thurrock group who nominated the beneficiaries.

Suzanne Phipps from IKEA said: "I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the IKEA colleagues supporting the local community.  It makes me very proud that we are able to support local people, particularly at this time of year.

"Once the money was raised we knew Giving For Thurrock would be the perfect people to call on to come up with a great idea to facilitate the vouchers to local groups that needed it."

Amanda Sweeney of Giving For Thurrock added: "A lot of the support that Giving for Thurrock gives to local people cannot always be advertised, but with the ongoing support from local businesses like IKEA Lakeside we can address issues affecting isolated and vulnerable residents in our borough."

The chosen recipients of the £200 vouchers included; South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre, Thurrock Princes Trust Team, Thurrock Play network, Hand Held Hearts, Grays United Reformed Church, Footsteps, Orchards Community Forum, The Bee Kind Foundation, NAS Thurrock, and Cook and Eat.

Smaller runner up vouchers were awarded to Seabrook Rise association, 2nd Corringham and 4th Stanford le Hope Scout & Guide group, Tilbury Community Forum, St Lukes Hospice, Purfleet Community Hub, Thurrock Harriers, Friends of Essex and London Homeless and Orsett Village Hall.  

All recipients were invited to IKEA Lakeside to receive their vouchers followed by a free lunch courtesy of IKEA and spent some time that afternoon selecting products giving an instant boost to their organisation and the people they support.

More information about Giving for Thurrock can be found online at https://thurrockcvs.org/giving-for-thurrock/or Facebook.  

If you would like know more about supporting local communities contact [email protected]