Our Father, Graham Barker passed away on 10th May 2020. Sadly, during these current times, only 10 people are allowed to attend his funeral. We understand that some of his friends and family would have loved to have attended or sent floral tributes. Instead of flowers, because as Dad would have said, "What's the point, they only get thrown away anyway" we are asking, anybody who would like to, to make a donation to a our chosen charity instead. We have decided to raise money for a smaller local charity, rather than a bigger one. Anybody who knew Dad would have known how family orientated he was. He loved us all and was never happier than when we were all around the table eating together. In addition to this, people will know how much he couldn't stand injustice or people going without. He hated poverty and suffering and regularly gave to charities who helped such causes. Dad also spent large parts of his varied career working with food and in catering. Due to these factors we have nominated the Thurrock Foodbank as the charity to benefit from your kind donations. - Thurrock Foodbank was set up in 2012 as an initiative of the local churches in the borough. After spending six months preparing, identifying partners, setting up their first three foodbank centres, and collecting food they were ready to open in July. Since then the foodbank has grown so that they now have 10 centres spread across the borough and open from Tuesday to Saturday to provide the help that those in food crisis need. They work with over 50 different referral agencies, including the local Citizen’s Advice Bureau, health care providers, and other charitable groups, and rely on them to identify the people who most need the support foodbanks provide. Thurrock foodbank’s success is largely down to the enthusiasm of its volunteers and the generosity of local people who want to help their neighbours in a crisis. They truly are a Thurrock project that enables Thurrock people to help one another.

Notes to the above:

Offline donations include cash, cheques and any other donations paid directly to the fundraising organisation. This offline donation total is updated periodically by the Tribute Guardian in conjunction with the fundraising organisation.