The Kingston Guardian is backing a charity appeal seeking to keep together some of the most vulnerable people in the borough by building them a brand new home.

The Fircroft Trust has bought the derelict White Hart pub in Hook to provide a modern home for adults with learning disabilities who currently live in nearby Maple Lodge.

Within two years Maple Lodge will no longer be able to meet the changing needs of some of its older residents.

Residents would be located a great distance away from the friends that they love and the staff who understand and care for them when they are approaching one of the most vulnerable periods of their life.

Now the charity is seekign to raise £1m towards paying for the building which is why it is launching its Building Potential appeal.

Chief executive Kay Harris has said: "We have been looking for more than two years to find something suitable because the current home, Maple Lodge, is becoming less fit for purpose.

"Our users have real relationships and they want to stay close by each other.

"Having new premises would allow us to provide more opportunities and choices and better quality housing for service users.

"They have lived together for years and it would be tragic to see them having to seperate."

The 26 people living in its five properties in Surbiton will move in when the building is complete.

Wheelchair users will no longer be turned away from the ageing, disability unfriendly homes and residents will finally have their own rooms rather than being forced to share by a lack of space.

Speaking after the launch event, appeal manager Susannah Horwood said: "We are thrilled to launch the Building Potential campaign.

"It is the culmination of years of planning and searching for the right location for our residents.

"This project is both exciting for the charity but also critical in its timing.

"Our group homes can no longer meet the changing needs of our older residents.

"Without the project they will have to move away from their friends and the staff who understand them.

"There is currently no provision in the borough of Kingston for older adults with learning disabilities."

Surrey Comet assistant editor David Rankin said: "We're delighted to be supporting the building potential campaign having been down to the homes and met the residents and seen the wonderful sense of family and friendship.

"That is why it is so important we help Fircroft Trust raise the money to make their exciting plans become reality.

"Anything you can do or give, no matter how small or big, will make an enormous difference."

Over the next few weeks and months the Surrey Comet will be telling you how you can support the Building Potential appeal, as well as telling some of the stories of the residents of Maple Lodge and how a new building would benefit their lives.

To support the Building Potential campaign call 0208 399 1772 or visit the website at www.thefircrofttrust.org.