A GROUP of residents and members of a Thurrock church have been honoured for their work for the local community by being give the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services.

St John the Baptist Church is the centre for a wide variety of community activity, including acting as a distribution point for Thurrock Foodbank.

But it's not just food that they distribute to local people in need, church supporters raise funds to buy essential items and also distribute clothing.

Among the biggest supporters of the church and its activities are lady residents of nearby Mahoney Hall – a Thurrock Council sheltered housing complex.

One of the residents there, Thelma Callender, explained what they do: "We have been supporting the church and the foodbank for about four years now. We do lot of things, including a lot of knitting of clothes and blankets and that sort of thing. Because of lockdown, we've been able to do plenty of that lately!

"We also collect items for those in need and every year we have a collection for the church – I think we have raised more than £2,500. Not everyone here goes to church but it is a real centre for our local community and we are all pleased to do our bit for it.

"We are all extremely excited and proud to have been a part of this award and we look forward to being able to celebrate it when lockdown is over."

The foodbank distribution at St Johns has been run by Jenny Codling for a number of years and in 2016 she was honoured by being nominated and winning the Thurrock Council Civic Awards 'Stronger Together Community' award.

Her citation at the time said: "Jenny has been running the Tilbury branch of the Food Bank for a number of years bringing people together and making them feel included in their community. She also regularly volunteers and is irreplaceable."

Those sentiments were echoed by Thelma and also Sandra Sawle from Thurrock Foodbank who paid tribute to all who support it and the work they do. "Jenny and her team of supporters do a really important job in their local community and they thoroughly deserve this latest recognition."

And there was more praise from Cllr Deb Huelin, Thurrock Council's cabinet member for communities, said: "I am incredibly proud that St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank has been acknowledged for the outstanding work that its volunteers do across Thurrock.

"All of our voluntary organisations provide a wonderful service for our community's wellbeing and we are grateful to every one of our volunteers for their hard work and dedication.

"The winners have been informed of their success and will receive this prestigious award from Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Lord Lieutenant of Essex, at a ceremony later this year.

"Congratulations to St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank for its well-deserved success."

Thurrock councillor Lynn Worrall is another to add her praise for the church and supporters, particularly the ladies at Mahoney Court. She said: "I have known these ladies for a long time, they are absolute stars. They are such community champions. I am so proud of them. It's so nice for them to be recognised."

St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank is among 230 charities, social enterprises and volunteer-led groups working in the community to receive the prestigious award, announced today (Tuesday, 2 June) – the anniversary of the Queen's coronation.

St John the Baptist Church and Tilbury Foodbank was described in its application as "bringing about change through the hard work, innovation and determination of volunteers, delivering services to a disadvantaged local community bringing cohesion and a positive outlook."

It is far from the first time that Thurrock community groups have been honoured in the awards