THURROCK'S Ironwoman hero has thanked all those who made it possible to raise more than three times her target for NHS charities by completing an Ironman triathlon yesterday (Saturday).

As reported yesterday and featured in a serious of live clips on Thurrock Nub News' Facebook page Corringham teacher Veronique Surry-Kaise from Central Avenue swam 2.4 miles, cycled 110 miles and then ran a marathon, finishing her epic day around midnight.

Already she has raised more than £900 through her efforts, and people can still donate here.

Veronique, a former PE teacher at the Ockendon Academy who now teaches at Stanford-le-Hope Primary, should have been taking part in her first official Ironman event but it was cancelled because of coronavirus so she decided to complete her own!

And afterwards she said she wanted to thank everyone who had made the special day possible.

She said: "Where do I begin? It all started when I realised life is too short (seeing how one day someone is here and the next day they gone) and 'One Life, Live It' has been my motto since.

"From doing my first half marathon in Southend in 2017 i have gone on to 'enjoy' jumping out of a plane, bungee jumping from a bridge, my first triathlon, completing the Prudential 100 cycle ride, a half Ironman and the London Marathon last year.

"I have always tried to raise money if I can for various charities close to my heart at the time.

"I haven't been able to train as much due to restrictions but wanted to do it all before it gets busy on the roads again when all shops reopen.

"Training has been tough as was mainly on my own.

"I have to say a huge thank you to so many people: my kids and hubby, people training with me, supporters and people who donated.

"I wouldn't have got through without all the help from so many wonderful people.

"Special thankyous go to Deborah Elizabeth who trained with me and biked back to Thurrock from Trifarm with me and ran the last 20km with me (what a legend!).

"Also Aimee Bray who trained with me (swimming) and was my top reporter, jumping out of nowhere getting the videos and pictures etc (great memories to keep), Paul Richardson (cycled a lap with me), Kem Dobson (cycled a lap with me), the friends and people on the road who stayed up late to cheer me on - Claire Hitchcock, Nic Ashurst, Tracy Clarke-Wolfe (who ran the hill each time with me), Louise Flemwell, Sue Hurst, Sarah Louise Hicks, Adam Kortlandt (cycled a lap with me too), Clare Kortlandt, Lucy and Guy Bean, Vicki S Watson, Sonia Louise and Ian Mutch.

"And the Groves family team Mandie and Rob! What an amazing bunch of people with their kids Jude and Reuben cycling about 10 miles with me to the end past 11pm, fetching me milk, water and paracetamol. And all the Scratton Road people!

"Just 'WOW' you kept me going when I was in agony on the second lap with your cheers.

"And finally Neil Speight from Thurrock Nub News who got the word out and stayed up late to see me finish which helped me raise even more money for the NHS charities.

"Now I shall rest for a while."