News in Thurrock

FOUR compassionate dads have returned to Thurrock this morning (Sunday, 13 March) after an extraordinary mercy mission that took them within a few miles of the Ukrainian border, close to the military training base at Yavoriv where at least 35 people were killed and 134 injured in an overnight missile attack.

Best friends John Green, Dean Hallissey, Mark McIlveney and Max Lazarou set out from Corringham last week with two jumbo vans packed with aid for refugees and Ukrainians who remain in the warn-torn country.

THANKS have been expressed to a local business which stepped up to the plate and helped a local community hall after vandals struck.

A gate at the Homesteads Village Hall on Dunstable Road in Stanford-le-Hope was recently wrecked and the community-based facility faced a substantial replacement bill.

HOPE springs eternal and East Thurrock United players and supporters were in upbeat mood after Saturday's Isthmian Premier win against Kingstonian at Rookery Hill – a first double of the season for the Rocks.

The win was all the better as it showed real resilience after East Thurrock went behind to Kenny Beaney's goal just after the half hour.

EAST Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe has paid a fact-finding visit to the Tilbury factory where Tevva are starting to build the UK's first fully electric trucks.

Tevva will soon begin the producton of electric trucks at the site on the London Distributon Park and plan to produce more than 200 electric trucks this year and more than two thousand in 2023.

THE bravery of an Essex Police officer during a dramatic incicdent in Thurrock is to be featured on BBC One's Crimewatch.

The feature was due to be included in today's (Monday, 14 March) programme but has now been delayed - but will feature in the current series of programmes.

A CONVOY of compassion will be heading out of Corringham tomorrow evening taking aid to refugees on the Polish border with Ukraine.

The idea for the trip was only mooted between four friends a few days ago and in the intervening hours they have managed to gather together a large supply of much-needed items and sponsorship for their trek, which will see them travel more than 2,000 miles.

THE family of a former Tilbury man who died following a collision in a Pitsea retail park say he was a man of great "talent, kindness, skill, and intelligence" who had a "contagious laugh.

Ninety-two year-old George Ridges died following an incident involving a car in a car park in High Road shortly after 1.45pm on 6 February.

Former Labour member will be campaigning as a Tory in May's elections after losing party's nomination.

Defector stands again under a blue flag in West Thurrock where there promises to be an interesting campaign.

YOUNG people currently on the Prince's Trust programme in Thurrock have been doing their bit to help refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

They spent a day at Morrisons store in grays collecting donations from shoppers.