LAST night (Tuesday, 14 October) brought the climax of the 2025 Pride of Essex Awards, an event which celebrates groups and individuals who make a positive impact in their community.

And it proved to be a night to remember for Thurock, which can boast four nominations who all shone on the night with highly commended certificates for individuals and groups, showing just how much the borough gives to the county of Essex.

David Barton was runner up for the Community Champion Award. This award celebrates people who put the needs of others above their own, raising funds for charity.

David Barton was honoured

David is the founder of the charity Get Started Art, an organisation that provides free arts and crafts materials and support to disadvantaged children and vulnerable adults, as well as anyone with special needs or learning disabilities.

His tireless effort at Get Started Art earned him runners up spot for the Community Champion Award, but his work doesn't stop there.

David is also chair for the Cross Keys Community Fund (CKCF), an organisation that was highly commended for the Team of Pride Award.

Supporters of the Cross Keys Community Fund

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This award celebrates groups that make a difference in the community through creating clubs or fundraising, the latter of which the CKCF does incredibly well.

The CKCF works hand in hand with local schools, hospitals, day centres, residential homes and more, raising funds for countless organisations.

David spoke on the work of the organisation, stating: "Being shortlisted is a real honour. The Cross Keys Community Fund is about people coming together to help others, and I'm proud to see that spirit recognised."

If you'd like to support the incredible work they do, email [email protected].

Also shortlisted for the Team of Pride Award and highly commended were Friends of Treetops School.

This group works hand in hand with Treetops School, a school which provides quality education to children with SEN in Grays.

They work tirelessly to generate funding for the school, and are currently organising both a low noise fireworks night for children who are sensitive to loud noises, and a sponsored haircut for a four-year old girl with alopecia.

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The team from Purfleet Pantry with borough mayor Cllr Sue Shinnick

And a third highly commended award in the section went to Purfleet Community Pantry and Cafe.

The organisation is fully volunteer run, and ensures families have enough food regardless of their financial state.

Joanna Roberts, Rebecca Dale & John Rowles have been part of the pantry since the beginning, and are part of the reason families can access £25 worth of essential goods for just £5.

The pantry is located on 32 River Court in Purfleet-on-Thames, and accepts monetary donations of any size.

You can check out all the award winners via this link.