A volunteer-run pantry in Thurrock has been praised for their inspirational work at a prestigious award ceremony.
The Purfleet Community Pantry and Cafe was Highly Commended at the annual Pride of Essex Awards on Tuesday 14 October.
The volunteer-run pantry, which recently celebrated its first year of service, was nominated in the Team of Pride category, which celebrates those making a difference to other people’s lives and who put others’ needs before their own.
The membership-based shopping scheme allows residents to purchase a weekly top-up shop at significantly reduced prices.
Joanna Roberts, Rebecca Dale, and John Rowles, founding members of the Pantry, attended the award ceremony at Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, and were joined by Cllr Sue Shinnick, Mayor of Thurrock.
Rebecca said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have been recognised with a merit in the Pride of Essex Awards. This honour reflects the hard work, care and dedication of every volunteer, and the trust and support of our community.”
There were a host of other Thurrock heroes who were recognised at the awards, including David Barton, who was Highly Commended in the Community Champion category. The honour recognised his work setting up ‘Get Started Art’, a charity providing creative opportunities that promote mental wellbeing and self-esteem for people of all ages.
David said: “Through my work with Get Started Art, and thanks to the dedication of our incredible volunteers, I’ve seen first-hand how creativity can bring people together and strengthen wellbeing, particularly among young people.”
David is also founder and Chairman of the Cross Keys Community Fund, which was Highly Commended in the Team of Pride category. For the past 20 years, the Thurrock based group has organised Christmas pantomimes and parties for children at Changing Pathways Women’s Refuge and other disadvantaged groups.
The Friends of Treetops group, which supports and raises funds for Treetops School and College, in Grays, was highly commended in the Team of Pride Award.
Their work helps to ensure children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities have access to an education that has been adapted to their unique needs,
Cllr Shinnick said: “Thurrock is home to an array of inspirational groups and people, and I am delighted that their hard work and dedication has been recognised and celebrated at these awards. It was a great night for Thurrock and showed the generosity and support that we have in our community.”
Both Cross Keys Community Fund and Get Started Art are former recipients of the Mayoral Roll of Honour.
Pantry volunteers were awarded individually on the Mayoral Roll of Honour.
For more information on the Cross Keys Community Fund
For more information on Get Started Art
For more information on Friends of Treetops
For more information on the Pantry go to: Your Local Pantry
