Parents pulled together and helped raise the £120,000 needed to buy Maple Lodge in Surbiton in the 1980s.
It was the same can-do attitude that helped capture the imagination of the community, which raised more than £60,000 from dozens of fundraising events including Burns nights and jazz events and numerous donations.
Kay Harris said: “I can’t believe the generosity of people especially when people are living through a recession and local people have managed to raise that money. It is amazing.”
The appeal has been supported by the Kingston Guardian from day one with bricks for the building sold and, in recent months, a “housewarming” list opened up at John Lewis to kit out the building.
The Bishop of Kingston even pulled on his running boots to support the appeal.
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