Philanthropic residents and businesses have helped to raise more than £80,000 for Kingston charities in the past 10 months.

The Love Kingston appeal raised the sum through a combination of events, challenges and donations.

And appeal bosses hope it is just the beginning.

Since its launch in October 2012, the appeal has been supporting five charities providing “pathways out of poverty” for the borough’s most in need - Hestia, Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness, Kingston Foodbank, Kingston Savers, and Oxygen.

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

Donations have included £10,000 from the Shiraz Mirza Trust Community Halls, while the biggest single fundraising event was Love Kingston Day, where hundreds of people spent Valentine ’s Day fundraising for the appeal.

Love Kingston fundraising manager Elaine Miller said: “We are delighted to have raised over £80,000 to benefit local charity and community projects through the Love Kingston campaign. “I would like to personally thank everyone for their support, commitment, and their kind and generous donations. “Whilst this money is a significant amount, it really is just the tip of the ice-berg. Over 85% of all money raised in the UK supports the largest 5% of charities. “We need to address the balance and have more of a focus at a local level.

“Everyone can get involved, either by making a donation to Love Kingston or by individuals setting up their own personal living donor advised funds.”

For more information visit the Love Kingston website.