Agents Do Charity - now the election's over...

It’s over at last. But while the property market has been awaiting the outcome of the closest poll in years, many of you have kindly been 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... 

Oxford Vale House: It was a case of best foot forward for Frank Webster, vice-chairman of letting agency Finders Keepers, as he strutted his stuff at the fourth annual Strictly Oxford competition - and took the runners’ up prize. 

Frank, who is celebrating 30 years with the company, took part and nabbed the runner-up spot - just reward given that he and his rivals had been practicing for five hours every Saturday over the past six weeks. Frank was at a distinct disadvantage as he missed the first two lessons due to work commitments. Not to be deterred, he worked on his routine with dance partner Jane Holmes independently - sometimes at a local squash club. 

On the night, Jane and Frank received four perfect scores from the judges. The judges were particularly taken with their freestyle routine to Chas & Dave’s ‘Margate‘ although the couple were pipped at the post by Oxford police commander superintendent Christian Bunt and his partner, Sally Sheppard.

Throughout the competition, Frank’s colleagues, clients, friends and family have been helping him to raise over £4,000 for Oxford’s Vale House, an independent care home for dementia sufferers.  Finders Keepers were also the sponsors for the event’s programme.

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Bridgwater Carnival Clubs: Estate agents Wilkie May and Tuckwood are backing Bridgwater Carnival Clubs, starting with a £100 to Gremlins - itself a donation from a happy vendor who had moved house. Dave Stokes, publicity officer for Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival, said: “We really appreciate and value the support we receive from local businesses and on behalf of everybody involved with Bridgwater Carnival I would like to thank Wilkie May and Tuckwood for their generosity.

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Housing For Women: The annual London Estate Agents 10k run takes place through Regents Park on Sunday June 7 to fund-raise for Housing For Women. Last year almost 100 agency staff from across the capital took part and the aim next month is to beat that total - and the £17,000 raised. This year’s prizes include meals out, theatre tickets, entrance to the London Eye and Virgin train tickets. If you would like to know more or if your company would be interested in entering a team in this year’s  event please contact Paul Melbourne, Fundraising Manager on 0207 501 6152 or by e-mail at paul.Melbourne@h4w.co.uk.

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Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance: A westcountry estate agent is swapping the office for the open road when he takes on a 54-mile bike ride to raise funds for the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Mark Franklin, who works at Tamlyns Estate Agents in Bridgwater, will be cycling from from Watchet Harbour to West Bay in Dorset. “Being completely funded by charitable donations, they need in excess of £2 million a year to remain operational. This equates to approximately £2,500 a mission” Mark told his local newspaper. Here’s his Just Giving sponsorship page: https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-Franklin4/.

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Devon Projects: A Silverton estate agency has launched a community fund to support deserving causes in the area. McKinley White is contributing £50 from each completed property sale in the village and an approximate five mile radius to build up the fund. The sum will be administered with the support of independent local volunteers and a decision on each award will require a consensus. McKinley White owner Graham White says: "We have supported numerous local causes and associations since opening the office in January 2014 and felt it was time to formalise things. Of course the advantage is that as our Silverton office grows its business, the more money we are able to put back into the community via the fund."

Agents Giving/Rightmove Fund: Over the past few weeks Agents Giving have received a number of grant applications for help with charity events from the Rightmove Fund.

Fresh Start Properties in Bridgend - Luke Jones ran from Holyhead to Cardiff over five days in April. That is the equivalent of five marathons in five days.  He was supporting Tree of Life, who offer hope to the families of sick children in the United Kingdom and Ireland who need specialist medical surgery, treatment, therapy and equipment.

Manning Stainton in Leeds are taking part in the Paint Leeds Green event in Leeds on 20 June.  In aid of Macmillan, there will be a mass collection in the city during the day and shoppers will be entertained by the fundraisers, and encouraged to make a donation.

Martyn Gerrard in Finchley, North London, are working with he Accumul8 Photography Project which teaches skills, including financial management, business start-up and presentation skills) to homeless and unemployed people culminating in the participants organising their own photography exhibition.

Several members of staff from Petty Estate Agents in Burnley are entering The Total Warrior Challenge on June 8. This is a 12k course involving 30 punishing obstacles and is not for the fainthearted.  They are raising money for Pendleside Hospice and hope to raise at least £3,000.

Findahome Online’s James Pattison is climbing Ben Nevis, the highest point in the UK, in June to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association  

Abbie Sweatman from Lines and James is joining a team to trek along the Great Wall of China in October. She is raising money for the Chestnut Tree House, a children’s hospice in Sussex caring for 300 children and young people with life limiting illnesses and to provide support for their families. During the trek, the team will raise enough money to cover the hospice’s care costs for the entire duration of the trip.

Pymm & Co in Norwich are organising a charity football match at Carrow Road, home of Norwich City FC.  They hope to raise £10,000 for Whizz Kids whose aim is to set disabled children free to reach their true potential and live their lives to the full.