Five Kingston charities have received their first donations from a new borough-wide fundraising appeal.

Love Kingston handed out cheques to its chosen charities for the first time since its launch last October, with each project receiving £2,470.

The campaign was set up to provide “pathways out of poverty” for underprivileged people in Kingston, by raising money for five good causes - Hestia, Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness, Kingston Foodbank, Kingston Savers, and Oxygen - which are each dedicated to helping poor or vulnerable people.

The appeal has also founded the Kingston Legacy Fund, which donates money to other good causes across the borough.

Since its inception, the Love Kingston appeal has brought together several business, charities and individuals who have made donations or undertaken various challenges to raise cash for the campaign.

The biggest event have so far has been Love Kingston Day, where hundreds of people spent Valentine’s day fundraising for the appeal.

That was followed by four people – Glen Smailes, Charmaine Sainsbury, Joanne Barber and Ian Fitzpatrick – running the London Marathon in support of Love Kingston in April.

That same month, the campaign received a £10,000 donation from the Shiraz Mirza Trust Community Halls – to be split between the five charities and the Kingston Legacy Fund.

Love Kingston fundraising manager Elaine Miller said: “Since our launch in October, many individuals and groups have been working together in the community to raise money for charity projects in Kingston. 

"A special thanks to Ian, Jo, Charmaine and Glen who ran in the Virgin London Marathon, Stella and her friends who rowed from Lechlade to Teddington, the Euphonix Choir who sang at the Rose Theatre, those who have baked cakes, organised raffles and so much more.

"By helping to support those in need in our community, you’ll be making our borough an even more wonderful place to live and work."

Love Kingston is looking for fundraisers to take part in the Kingston Run Challenge on Sunday, October 13.

Visit humanrace.co.uk/events/running/kingston-run-challenge or love-kingston.org.uk for more information.