Fifty-three years on from the day they got married, Corringham couple Marie and Dick Banyard were celebrating another “present”.
The couple were at Tony LeVoi Motors in West Thurrock to pick up a brand new Vauxhall Corsa C, thanks to the Thurrock Community Chest.
It was time to celebrate for the Chest too, as this is the tenth year it has been raising money for local good causes with its annual ticket draw — with the tenth car giveaway from Tony LeVoi as its top prize.
Mayor of Thurrock, Cllr Anne Cheale — a Chest trustee — was on hand to oversee the handover and she said: “The Community Chest does an amazing amount of good work for the huge number of small voluntary organisations in Thurrock. In the last ten years it’s raised more than £300,000.”
Mr and Mrs Banyard were joined by daughter Kelly Still and three grandchildren — including Brogan, who was also celebrating as it was her 15th birthday.
Marie said: “I always by a Community Chest ticket at the Snowden Club every year, but we haven’t won anything before. This is great we’ve never won anything like it.”
Local organisations sell Thurrock Community Chest charity draw tickets, keeping half the money for themselves and a proportion also goes to St Luke’s Hospice. The charity then distributes the remainder among local groups.
As well as the annual draw, monthly draws for smaller prizes are also held.
