A number of Kingston's Co-op Food stores have raised £450 today (5 March) to help provide bicycles to residents in need around Cambridge Road Estate.

Kiran and Mark, the store managers of Co-op Lower Marsh Road and Kings Road respectively, have been crucial in securing higher than expected levels of funding for the donation according to Co-op spokesperson Anna Borsarelli.

Sourced from the stores' Cooperative community donation budget, the funds are being given to local non-profit bike project Full Cycle Community Bike Project to restore used bicycles.

These bikes will then be distributed to locals in need by Royal Borough of Kingston Cares (RBKares) .

RBKares' chair Kate Kenyon BEM estimates there are 30 to 40 people waiting for such bikes.

RBKares regularly organises a free bike maintenance stall run by the Kingston Cycling Campaign's 'Dr Bike' as a part of its wider RBKares Wellbeing Days scheme.

These Wellbeing Days are part of a community-run initiative to provide essential services to the borough's most deprived area alongside a pop-up food bank run every Tuesday by Cambridge Road Estates Community Group (CREst).

Queen Mary Hall in Norbiton is home to a pop-up food bank every Tuesday (Photo: Oliver Monk)

While waiting for a hot meal at Norbiton's Queen Mary Hall, guests can access a variety of services each month, and can include dental check-ups, free clothes, opticians assessments, vaccinations, and support for accessing key benefits.

One member of RBKares, Suzanne Seyghal, believes the event's collaboration with the CREst food bank is crucial for reaching those most in need of support.

"It's a one-stop shop," she said, adding that the Wellbeing Days have proven especially effective in reaching locals who can't access social media.

The Cambridge Road Estate area is the borough's most deprived area according to a council spokesperson (Photo: Oliver Monk)

Along with the weekly food bank, the scheme helps reduce isolation amongst those attending, with Ms Seyghal commenting that "it's about having something in the diary to look forward to".

Community-run schemes like this can help provide stability to the lives of those who use them, and subsequently improve relations between guests and service providers who they may otherwise not feel comfortable seeking out.

"It's taken a lot of time to build their trust," commented Ms Seyghal.

Ben Mortyboy is one of many guests who benefitted from this month's dental truck, providing simpler 'first-aid' procedures including fillings, cleaning, and cancer checks.

It has taken Mr Mortyboy seven visits to Queen Mary Hall to build up the courage to have five tooth extractions today.

Ben Mortyboy was only able to recieve dental care after building up the courage over seven visits (Photo: Oliver Monk)

Commenting on his previous visit, he said: "I darted, I was so scared. But I just said to myself, 'this is getting silly'".

Thanks to Dentaid's dental truck, Mr Mortyboy can now have dentures fitted next month.

He is incredibly thankful for the support of RBKares and CREst, saying: "These places keep people alive".

Norbiton councillor Emily Davey attended the event today, and tries to do so fortnightly to help with social housing issues, saying: "I solve cases, and usually come away with a few more."

Cllr Davey went on to praise the work of volunteers involved, commenting: "it's not a council-run thing. It's bottom-up, it's what people want [and] what the community wants, not what the council thinks they want".

RBKares Wellbeing Days are available to all residents, with the next session taking place 2 April 11am to 2pm.

More information is available here.

A group of volunteers pose in front of the charity dental van at today's Wellbeing Day (Photo: Oliver Monk)