Agents Do Charity - Bank Holiday edition

Thanks to everyone for keeping our readers updated on what’s happening in the world of estate agency charity fund-raising.

If you want your heroic deeds covered, contact us on press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we’ll do our best to give you the honourable mention you deserve.

Here are the latest updates... 

South London Special League: Many congratulations to Toby Carter, head of sales and digital marketing at Angels Media - the publisher of Estate Agent Today and Letting Agent Today, of course - who ran a terrific three hours and 48 minutes in last weekend’s London Marathon. 

He has so far raised £550 for South London Special League, a charity which helps young sports players facing challenges achieve their goals. But there is MUCH more that could be raised if you help him add to the sum by visiting https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=TobyCarter 

Ovarian Cancer: Mark Tibbles, an agent who works in Little Chalfont in the Home Counties, raised £2,750 for an ovarian cancer charity after completing the London marathon in three hours and 34 minutes.

Mark, who was running in memory of his first wife who died from ovarian cancer in 2002, says: “I’ve ended up busting my fundraising target. I’m up to “£2,750. My target was two thousand so I’m really chuffed. I would just like to say thanks to everyone that supported me because that’s what really does motivate you.”

Magpas: The branches at Thomas Morris are looking to raise more money for the medical emergency air ambulance charity Magpas – this time with a sponsored cycle ride across three counties. The ride will be led by Royston branch manager, Duncan Young, who will attempt to visit all seven of the Thomas Morris branches on Friday May 15 – known as Orange Day.

“Orange Day is a really important event for Magpas. It’s a time when they are looking to raise their profile as well as much needed funds and we intend to show our support” explains Duncan.

Sussex Beacon: A Brighton branch of Your Move is pledging to donate five per cent of the fee from every sale this year to the Sussex Beacon, which provides specialist care and support for men, women and families affected by HIV and AIDS. The branch has already held an introductory event at its offices and anyone placing new instructions until Tuesday 30 June would pay a promotional fee of just 0.75 per cent plus VAT.

Agents Giving: A survey by Agents Giving suggests an overwhelming 91 per cent of the public have given their backing to the service of estate agents who deliver ‘average’, ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ service. But the public seriously underestimate the amount the industry gives to charity, according to the same poll of 822 house movers. 

Some 92 per cent of people surveyed believed that agents donated less than £10m in 2013, where in reality the amount donated was over £13m. On average, people believed agents donated only £3.7m to charity in that year.

“Estate agents are pivotal figures in one of the most emotional and stressful times in a person’s life, moving house, so they are bound to come in for some stick. But it’s really encouraging to see that the public’s personal experience seems to be more positive than we are led to believe” says Peter Knight, chairman of Agents Giving. 

“It’s not an easy job requiring a broad range of skills and as with all industries the ‘bad’ agents are the minority. In 2013 agents also gave over £13m to charity which is an amazing feat and a reflection of their close work with local communities” he says.