MORE than 2,000 presents have been donated for children and young people in need across the borough as part of Thurrock Council's award winning Give a Gift initiative this year.

A further £3,360 was raised via a 'GoFundMe' page and other offline donations that have also been used to purchase additional gift voucher presents for older young people in time for Christmas.

Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Social Care, Cllr Barry Johnson, said: "It speaks to the amazing generosity of our wider community that once again our Give a Gift initiative will be able to brighten Christmas morning for so many children and young people this year.

"All the presents that were donated by local residents, their families and friends and many local businesses are checked by our social workers to ensure they're the best match for the individual children and young people they support.

"Once this is completed, all gifts are wrapped by our council volunteers and delivered to homes across the borough in time for Christmas morning.

"I'd like to thank everyone who has donated this year and our Give a Gift team for their amazing hard work to bring this heart-warming initiative together."