Putney fairy godmother is closing in on her 1m charity donation target

A Putney fairy godmother is closing in on her 1m target to donate to charity.

Charlotte Grobien, 59, has already donated 825,000 to charity after building three houses from scratch and renting out two apartments in Roehampton..

The philanthropist raises money by building, developing and selling houses then donating 100 percent of the profits to charity.

She is currently developing three cottages in Woking, Surrey which will go on sale in January - with hopes to sell them for 340,000 each.

Mrs Grobien said: "I enjoy the outcome of going along to the charity and handing the cheque. I want my heart to beat when I write the cheque.

"The feel good factor is immense, and the knowledge that one is able to positively affect the lives of those who are in need is humbling.

"I might be a "handbag developer", but the profits I generate will never go towards this season's Louis Vuitton."

Mrs Grobien said she sees everything from start to finish, whilst maintaining relationships with the charities.

She was first given the idea to set up Give it Away after she added an extra floor to her home in Putney, and watching property development programmes on television.

Work began in 2003 when she bought three plots of land for more than 1m, which was largely borrowed from the bank.

Over 14 south London charities have received money, including disabled children's charity Small Steps based in Putney and the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon