Agents Do Charity - autumn fund-raising in full swing...

We’re well and truly back from summer with a flurry of fund-raising to report on this week: thanks to each and every one in the industry working hard for good causes.

Let us know what you’re doing and we’ll tell your industry colleagues. Just email us on press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we’ll do the rest.

Now…on we go…

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Richard House Hospice: Let’s start with congratulations to Andrew Shek, lettings manager at JOHNS&CO's Royal Wharf office in east London, who has recently run the Richmond Marathon in five and a half hours.

He’s raised money for Richard House Hospice, a local charity to the Royal Wharf office and also local to Andrew's family.

He says: “The Richmond Marathon on Sunday was my first and I can wholeheartedly say it was also my last. It was painful and I am hobbling around like an old man today but I'm glad I've managed to raise some money for a fantastic local charity."

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Yorkshire Air Ambulance/Wetherby Lions Beer Festival: The agency Manning Stainton has helped make this year’s festival a roaring success as its Wetherby branch staff took to the bars to serve thirsty punters over the two-day event.  

As well as putting forward a team of enthusiastic volunteers, the estate agent also donated money to go towards funding the event, which was held to raise money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance. 

Mark Manning, managing director of Manning Stainton, says: “Our team of volunteers – all staff from our Wetherby branch – did a sterling job of helping out behind the bars over the weekend and the festival raised over  £5,000 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which provides a vital service for the region. Well done to all involved!”  

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Suited And Booted/Dress for Success: Following the success of its annual Calling London Winter Coat campaign where it collected over 2,000 coats and jackets last year, Chestertons teamed up with two local charities this summer to help collect suitable work attire for men and women who are vulnerable, unemployed or have low incomes. 

Throughout the summer, Londoners could donate quality clothing and footwear of all sizes suitable for interview or the workplace to any of Chestertons’ 33 London offices. The new summer campaign, Summer Suit Collection, proved to be a great success in its first year with around 400 items collected. 

Despite the campaign coming to an end, Chestertons support didn’t stop there. A number of staff members spent an evening sorting through the donations. The volunteering took place at Suited & Booted in the City of London and required a mixture of measuring, ironing and steaming garments, ready to be matched with hopeful clients. 

Emlyn Parks, Sales Manager at Chestertons’ Camden office and volunteer says: “I really enjoyed my time volunteering at Suited & Booted. I spent a very enjoyable three hours along with a few of my colleagues helping to sort out the numerous donations they receive on a daily basis. It’s such a great cause that really makes a difference to people that need a bit of help getting back into the workplace. It was a very positive experience.”

Projekt 42: Property folk from across the UK have taken part in the 2018 Buccleuch Property Challenge, raising over £14,000 for mental health charity, Projekt 42.

Breaking the fundraising target of £10,000, the money raised through the Challenge will ensure Projekt 42 is able to continue its necessary services to people across Leith, Edinburgh, and beyond.

An adrenaline-fuelled adventure race, 69 teams of property professionals took on a variety of fitness tasks during the 2018 Challenge, which took them, for a distance of approximately 50km, over land and water across the 90,000-acre estate.

With new challenges added each year, participants took part in mountain biking, hill running, paddle boarding, kayaking, orienteering and archery, as well as pulling a Land Rover and conquering a number of skills-based activities.

Representatives from organisations including Savills, Native Land, Optimised Environments, CDA Group, Cushman & Wakefield, Rettie & Co, Cruden Homes, Chris Stewart Group and more took part in this year’s Challenge.

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The Clock Tower Sanctuary/Justlife Foundation: Adam Farrell, director of Fine & Country Brighton and Hove will run 10 miles and tackle more than 20 different obstacles to raise money for two local homeless charities.

Tough Mudder is a fantastic and unique event taking place across the UK. Known for its boggy course and innovative obstacles, Adam chose this as the perfect event to raise money for a cause dear to his heart.

“I am delighted to be taking part in the challenge to support our local community through The Fine & Country Foundation. It will make every slip in the mud and freezing pool of water worthwhile. Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. With your help, I can reach my £500 fundraising target” says Adam.

To help Adam raise money for homeless and vulnerable people in Brighton and Hove, please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/adam-farrell3.

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999 Club: On October 27 Tessa Gooding, director of estate agent social enterprise Urban Patchwork, is walking 52km in one day along the South Thames Path for the 999 Club homeless charity.

With just 13 members of staff and over 50 regular volunteers, the 999 club runs The Gateway on Deptford Broadway, a drop-in centre that gives rough sleepers the chance to eat, wash and do their laundry. It also provides a range of help with housing, benefits and employment to both rough sleepers and others experiencing homelessness. The charity also runs a night shelter helping rough sleepers make a permanent move off the streets.

Tim Fallon, CEO of the 999 Club, says: “We’re really grateful to both Tessa and her brother Toby at Urban Patchwork for their tireless commitment to raising crucial funds to help homeless people in South London. 

You can sponsor Tessa online at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/TessaGooding1. 

As the director of a nearby estate agent social enterprise that launched in spring this year, Tessa wants to ensure Urban Patchwork helps meet more housing need through providing the same residential sales and lettings service that many agents provide but in the best way possible.