Agents Do Charity - the Escape The Election edition...

Pole-axed by politics? Bored of ballots? Well, this is where you can escape from pledges, promises and politicians and instead read of how our own industry is trying to improve things - specifically, those who need our help.

Every week we’re delighted to cover agents’ efforts at fund-raising for good causes. Just email us at press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we’ll promote your good works.

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Fine & Country Foundation: Thirteen trekkers from Fine & Country are tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge on May 27 to raise money and awareness for the Foundation. 

The team will be scaling Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in just 10 hours.

Established in 2014, the Foundation seeks to reduce homelessness and poverty at local, national and international levels. Working with a number of charities and organisations, the Foundation not only learns about the causes and main issues surrounding homelessness, but has an impact on in reducing them.

Taylor Barnes, Sue Garner-Stevens, Amber Ding, Rachel Kittow, Elizabeth Hyde, Belinda Robinson, Emilie Despois, Andrew Muskett & Son, Sam Lindley, Amanda Karaman, Garry Harris, and Justyn Medd make up the GPEA Peaky Blinders.

They hope to raise over £1,000 for the Foundation and have so far raised nearly £400. 

Keep up to date with their progress and find out how to donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/GPEApeakyblinders

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Martin House Childrens’ Hospice: Leeds-based Linley & Simpson is marking its 20th anniversary by setting itself the challenge of hiking 20 miles across 20 Lake District peaks and raising £20,000 for Martin House Children’s Hospice at Boston Spa.

To put the feat that lays in front of them into perspective, this represents an ascent totalling 2,434 metres or 8,032 feet - the equivalent of almost two Ben Nevis mountain climbs, or halfway up Mont Blanc, the highest in the Alps.

The independent agency, which has 11 branches across North and West Yorkshire, has helped more than 100,000 people move home since it first opened its doors back in 1997.

Now its foot-sore staff are in training for a very different logistical feat in their race against darkness to complete an extended version of the Patterdale Horseshoe route in just one day.

As part of its “20 Twenty” challenge, they will take in Arnison Crag, Birks, St Sunday’s Crag, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, Little Hart Crag, Middle Dodd, Red Screes, Caudale Moor, Thornthwaite Crag, Mardale Ill Bell, High Street, Kidsty Pike, High Raise, Rampsgill Head, The Knott, Rest Dodd, Brock Crags and Angletarn Pikes – all of which are designated Wainwright fells.

Led by founders Will Linley and Nick Simpson, the team includes Danny Tasker, Martin Elliott, Andrew Everett, Katie Radcliffe, Eileen Cahill, Mark Sheridan, Neil McGroarty and Paul Bridgeman – with Mark Christopher and Emily Wilkinson acting as support staff on the ground.

“We have been involved in some tough charity challenges over the past decades – from the Tough Mudder army assault course to taking part in the Brownlee brothers’ triathlon – but this is our most ambitious to date,” said director Will Linley.

“It will be a gruelling day will involve around 15 hours of non-stop trekking, breaking only for refreshments.

The team will be guided on their challenge on June 7, by experts from the Lake District Walker company. Their guide for the feat ahead, John Scadding, said: “This is going to be a testing day over rough ground and is not for the faint-hearted. This is a challenging walk which should not be underestimated - many will opt to take this on as a two-day hike.”

You can help, too: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LinleyandSimpsonMartinHouse

Mapperley Plains Primary School and Carlton Central Infant School: Nottingham schoolchildren from these two schools have been taking part in a 'design a For Sale sign' competition organised by Nottingham Estate Agency, part of the Nottingham Building Society.

The youngsters were asked to think about what buying or selling a house or moving home looks like to them when creating their masterpieces - the rest was a blank template!

Winning artist Toby Liptrott, 10, was presented with a £50 voucher at a special tea party that was also attended by fellow Mapperley Plains pupil Alexander Landy, 7, and Lexie Allen, 6, from Carlton Central, who were both awarded highly commended prizes.

What's more, every time Toby's board is used at a home Nottingham Estate Agency has for sale in the local area each school will receive a £25 donation to their funds.

Estate agency manager Ben Sales said: "We are proud to support our local communities, especially as we are part of a large, mutual, building society in the form of The Nottingham. The schools really engaged with the competition, and what's great is that this doesn't end with presenting the prizes - we will also be contributing important funds to the coffers of two local schools each time Toby's board is put up outside a property for sale.”

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Headingly AFC: A local football team in Yorkshire has unveiled estate agency Manning Stainton as its new kit sponsor for the next two seasons.

Headingley AFC has just completed a highly successful first campaign in the Premier Division of the West Yorkshire League and is already well advanced with plans for next season, according to chairman Callum Butcher.

“We really want to hit the ground running and having a kit sponsor in place was an important part of that process so we are extremely grateful to Manning Stainton for their generous support” he says.

Manning Stainton has helped Headingley AFC through its on-going Community Support Programme which has donated in excess of £50,000 to over 50 clubs, schools and other worthwhile organisations in the last 12 months.