THE NSPCC is celebrating the 125th birthday of the charity in Essex by asking local groups and organisations to raise £125 for the charity through fundraising.

In Thurrock, formal links with the NSPCC go back 66 years to 1958.

That is three years after the inaugural meeting of the Romford and Hornchurch branch on 9 November 1954 at the Town Hall, Romford.

As well as Hornchurch and Romford, the new branch included Elm Park, Gidea Park, Rainham and Upminster. There were District Committees within the Branch at all these places. The districts of Romford and Gidea Park had formerly formed part of the West Ham and District Branch. There was an Inspector, based at a Local Office at 6 Kingston Road, Romford.

During the year to 31 May 1955 the Inspector investigated 84 cases, affecting the welfare of 209 children. The most common kind of case (57) involved neglect. The Inspector also paid 391 supervision visits, to ensure that necessary improvements were being made in the care of children. He also made 751 'miscellaneous visits of enquiry.' The Branch raised £735 17s. 1d. to support his work.

Further District Committees were formed at Collier Row and Harold Hill in 1956/7.

In 1958/9 the boundary of the Branch was extended to include the district of Thurrock, which had previously formed part of the Southend Branch. The name of the Branch was changed to the Romford and South Essex Branch.

In 1965 the name of the Branch was changed again, to the Havering and Thurrock Branch and it has remained that way since.

Already several events are taking place to support this year-long incentive including a ball and marathon.

Chigwell School began raising funds towards the end of 2019 by incorporating fundraising while some of its pupils completed their Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. So far, they have raised £400.

On Friday, 25 September a group of five mums from Chigwell and Chingford are organising and hosting a 'Greatest Show' themed Charity Ball, which was inspired by the Greatest Showman film and will be held at Gilwell Park, Chingford.

The ball will resemble a big top circus and feature some amazing acts and entertainers such as young local illusionists, alternative performers and entertainers from the luxury entertainment providers GRPresents and an evening of live music from a well-known party band in the UK, Fully Funktional.

The evening will also include a sit-down meal, auction, raffle prizes and lots of fun and games throughout.

The ball was initiated by Sally Fisher who was an early user of Childline back in the 80's when it first started. She has always wanted to organise a ball for the NSPCC in order to give back to the charity which helped her when she was a young teenager. She said: "I've always wanted to organise a charity ball for children and what better opportunity than the 125th anniversary of the NSPCC in Essex.

"Childline and the NSPCC are a lifeline for many vulnerable children, who feel alone and helpless. The people of Essex are known to be generous and good fun, and I wanted to use this special opportunity this year to bring people together for an evening of entertainment, while raising awareness and valuable funds for abused and neglected children in our area."

Professional party organisers VCEvents agreed to work with the charity Ball committee, to organise the event and also raise money for the NSPCC. Victoria Herbert has taken it upon herself to sign up to the Virgin Money London Marathon on 26th April, she said: "Child protection and safeguarding have always been important to me, so it was obvious that we would support the NSPCC with its Essex 125 appeal.

"It was a personal choice to run the marathon. After I was indirectly involved in a safeguarding issue I decided to raise money for the charity off my own back and running the marathon would be an ideal way to give further funding to an organisation that has always gone out of its way to prevent child abuse. My training started late last year and I hope to massively exceed the £125 target."

Sarah Laffling, Community Fundraising Manager for Essex, said: "The enthusiasm about Essex 125 shows how much the work our charity does is valued among the community.

"We want to recruit 125 companies, organisations and groups this year to help support our Essex branches with its continuing efforts to safeguard children. They can do that by raising just £125 in any way they want; which means lots of room for creativity."

To find out more about how you can sign up to fundraise for Essex 125, contact Sarah Laffling on [email protected]