A Putney philanthropist who recently gave away over £700,000 to local children’s charities has vowed to break through the £1m mark with her latest project.
Charlotte Grobien, of Putney Park Avenue, bought, renovated and sold three properties in Putney and gave all of the profits to charities including React and Small Steps, who provide support to disabled and seriously ill children.
In order to reach her £1m target, Mrs Grobien will rent out two more Roehampton apartments over the next two years before selling them and donating all of the profits, including capital gains, to local good causes.
The 57-year-old quit her job as an events organiser in 2002 and worked in places such as Wandsworth prison offering careers advice before deciding to set up the social enterprise project Give It Away.
The idea behind it was to donate money to local charities who support children and young people in need.
She began in 2003 by buying three plots of land for more than £1m, which was largely borrowed from the bank, before building a house on each plot.
Mrs Grobien said: "I had watched all the television programmes on climbing the property ladder and always thought 'I could do that'. It took a lot of time and effort but it was rewarding watching the builders lay the foundations brick by brick.
"It was so rewarding. I have already given away most of the money I made and there is still more to play with. I've made a pledge to myself that I want to give away £1m in total so that means at least one more property project.
“The downturn in the building industry put plans to make the final give away of £1m on hold for the past 18 months.
“I have decided to take no salary and no expenses from this latest idea – the prospect of being able to finance such worthwhile projects and causes is what drives me to do this.”
Some of the charities who have received money from Give It Away:
Shaftesbury Homes and Arethusa - A home in Roehampton which encourages, educates and develops children who are looked after away from home.
Small Steps - A pre-school attached to Greenmead Primary School in Putney, providing support for severely disabled children.
Skill Train - Provides support for teenagers facing educational or social exclusion in Wandsworth.
Whizz-Kidz - Provides motorised mobility aids such as wheelchairs and specially designed tricycles and buggies to children with disabilities.
React - Provides help for children with life-limiting illnesses cared for at home.
Yes To Life - Helps cancer patients access treatment.
Action for Blind People - Helps blind and partially sighted people.
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