Helen, Philippa, Gemma and Elspeth have set up three contactless Pumpkin trails where 25 houses across Thorpe Bay and Shoeburyness will be displaying letters in their front gardens for families to collect and rearrange into a Halloween themed word. The event will take place from 2pm Friday 30th October until 7pm Sunday 1st November.

Once the trail has been completed organisers are asking for participants to post a photo on their Facebook page and to donate to Havens Hospices through their Just Giving page.

Elspeth Spall says: “The Thorpe Bay & Shoeburyness Pumpkin Trails will run for three days and the routes will stretch across an area covering over 600 acres to ensure that everyone can participate safely.

“We came up with the idea to bring our community together safely at a time when we need to stay apart, to give our children a bit of fun – with some fresh air and exercise thrown in – to support local businesses and organisations and most importantly, to raise some money for Havens Hospices. Thank you to everyone in our local community who has donated and supported the trail so far and to those who have decorated their houses and gardens for the occasion.

“We ask all participants to not knock on people’s doors, ensure children are accompanied by an adult and that everyone taking part follows the current Government guidelines on social distancing so that we can keep everyone safe.”

For more information and to take part search for ‘Thorpe Bay Pumpkin Trail 2020’ on Facebook and join the group. To make a donation so Havens Hospices can continue ‘Making every count’ for everyone they care for, please visit the event’s JustGiving page.

Published 28th October 2020