The Mayor’s Charitable Trust has raised £57,380 during former mayor Julie Pickering’s year in office.

The total amount raised was announced at the retiring mayor’s dinner on September 14 at the Warren House Hotel in Kingston.

A cheque was donated to Love Kingston, a project of Kingston Voluntary Action, a charity working to support community giving in the borough.

The charity gives grants yearly to local charities to help them continue their vital services and is building up a legacy fund, to give grants on an ongoing basis into the future.

Julie Pickering, former Mayor of Kingston, said: “Thank you to all who helped raised this fantastic amount over my Mayoral year.

“Kingston is an amazing place but it is missing a sustainable foundation fund.

“I continue to be determined Kingston gets one through Love Kingston, which give out grants to those who need it now and in the future.”

Tessa Kind, community fundraising manager at Love Kingston, said: “It has been an incredible year with an incredible Mayor.

“Julie Pickering’s energy, contacts and effort have resulted not only in a contribution of £57,380 to Love Kingston for the community fund, but valuable partnerships which will continue into the future.”

Julie Pickering, who served in 2017 and 2018, has been succeeded by Mayor Cllr Thay Thayalan.

During his year in office, Cllr Thay Thayalan will be supporting Creative Youth, Kingston Samaritans and Kingston Race and Equalities Council.