Volunteers gathered at West Thurrock Chapel on Tuesday morning (23 November) to pack and wrap this year’s Christmas gifts for seafarers.
The annual appeal was made just a few weeks ago by Chaplain Paul Cave of the Lighthouse Seafarers’ Mission (part of the London City Mission). That appeal has seen enough woolly hats, scarves and other useful items to make up 720 parcels – and counting.
The church hall was laid out in a production line with volunteers busy undertaking each task like elves at the North Pole.
West Thurrock neighbours, multinational soap giants Proctor & Gamble, donated a car full’s worth of toiletries.
Paul Cave, left, said, “I’m really pleased with the response. This means over 700 seafarers will receive gifts this Christmas.” Gifts from Thurrock to men (and a few women) from all over the globe, making true the borough’s motto, From the Thames to the Peoples of the World.
Paul went on to say, “I’d like to thank everyone who contributed gifts and I’d like to thank Marrina Dixy and her team who helped with the packing.”