A new community fund launched to encourage philanthropic giving has already raised more than £13,000.

Grants are awarded by a panel to support local community and voluntary groups who are seen to make a difference to the quality of life in the borough.

Often these groups involve helping the elderly, disadvantaged and disabled, among others.

Dominic Raab, MP for Esher and Walton, a panel member for Elmbridge Community Fund, said: "Our aim is to increase co-operation with leading local charitable organisations by building a permanent fund to support communities across all of Elmbridge and inspire local giving to benefit the local community."

The fund is part of the Community Foundation for Surrey, which in the past three years has awarded more than 30 grants, totalling more than £80,000.

The fund chairman Richard Waller said: "Although we live in what is generally accepted as one of the most affluent areas in the country, the statistics about the Elmbridge area are actually quite shocking.

"The Elmbridge Community Fund is a major way that can help direct local giving to assist the quality of life in the area. We have set our sights high with a funding target of £1m in five years.

"This is the kind of target that will really make a difference. Think how much that kind of sum could mean to an organisation in your area.

"We are also delighted to have added such a high quality of new members as panel members. They will undoubtedly help us enormously in reaching our target."