People with learning disabilities, the homeless and children who have caring responsibilities for family members are among those in the borough to benefit from the latest charity donations from Surbiton Farmers’ Market.

Chickens for the Stud Nursery in Home Park, raised beds for a new herb and vegetable garden for Kingston’s Night Shelter, and a trip to the Disney on Ice show, Frozen, for young carers are just some of the projects the market will be funding.

The award-winning market, held in Maple Road on the third Saturday of each month, has helped raise over £50,000 and supported more than 50 local charities and causes since it began seven years ago. In the past month alone, donations totalling over £6,000 have been made, from fundraising activities at the market, stallholder fees and a sponsored walk:

• £1,978 to Kingston Carers’ Network for the young carers’ Christmas trip • £1,500 to YMCA London South West towards a theatre company project • £1,000 to Refugee Action Kingston supporting refugees and asylum seekers • £727 to the Joel Community Services Night Shelter for its vegetable garden • £408 to buy chickens and install a coop for Balance CIC’s work with disabled and vulnerable people in the borough, at the Stud Nursery • £400 to support the Shooting Star Chase hospice Grandparents' Day.

Commenting on funding for the Balance CIC project, Nicola Brookes - Community Activities and Transport Service Manager at Balance CIC - said: ‘Thanks so much to Surbiton Famers’ Market for their donation. The team at Stud Nursery have worked really hard to clear the coop area and it will be a great new project for people who visit the nursery to have the opportunity to look after the chickens.’

The chickens will be housed in a former pheasant coop which service users are currently renovating on land provided by Hampton Court Palace. Eggs will be sold at the Balance café at King Charles Centre for adult education in Surbiton.

Clare Fry, Team Leader - Community Activities at YMCA London South West - commented: ‘The Benchmark Theatre Company is thrilled and grateful for the kind donation from Surbiton Farmers' Market. The money is allowing us to run our next project, a new writing festival where we will perform short plays written by residents and community members. The money makes a real difference, allowing us to continue our work, and means a lot as it’s coming from another local group.’

Each month, the market includes a local Charity of the Month among its 26 stalls of fresh farm produce and speciality foods.

Joining the Christmas Market on Saturday December 17th (9am to 1pm) will be Momentum, which supports children with cancer and life-limiting conditions, and their families, in Surrey and south west London.

The popular Christmas market will have seasonal specialities, foodie gifts, mulled wine, a hog roast and much more. Christmas music will be provided by The Kingstones and shoppers can join a flash choir singing carols.

There’ll be a free prize draw to win a fabulous hamper of Christmas market goodies to take away.

Santa will be paying a visit too. Surbiton Farmers’ Market is a community interest company run by volunteers. Visit www.surbitonfarmersmarket.co.uk, join Facebook at Surbiton Farmers’ Market and follow Twitter @SurbitonFM and Instagram @surbitonfarmersmarket for details.

Based on information supplied by Alison Ewbank.