Agents Do Charity - the wet-and-cold start-of-winter edition...

Well there’s little doubt that after this week’s weather winter is well on the way - the perfect time for fund-raising to step up a gear.

And that’s exactly what’s happening if this week’s post bag is anything to go by; people have been emailing us at press@estateagenttoday.co.uk.

That’s what everyone here has done...so let’s see what they’re doing.

Agents Giving/Foodbanks: As winter sets in the demand on our local foodbanks will increase as they face a struggle to feed everyone who comes through their doors.  They need your help this winter.

Property industry charity Agents Giving is continuing its support of The Trussell Trust as well as the hundreds of independent foodbanks and centers and are asking the industry to support and help combat poverty this winter.

In the last five years’ foodbank use in The Trussell Trust network has increased by 73 per cent; 1.6m foodbank parcels were given in the last year ending March 2019, and more than half a million of these went to children.

Here are some of the ways you can take action against poverty and hunger this winter.

Not just food – they need volunteers: Foodbanks are in urgent need of people to volunteer to collect food donations, help sorting and packing the food or making the tea and having a friendly chat.

Fundraising and Donations: Organizing a fundraising challenge and donating the proceeds to your local foodbank to help towards the many other costs they incur to support their clients.

What food do they need? Each food bank will have a list available on their webpage of items they are in desperate need of, so please check before you start collecting.

Christmas Goody Boxes – an extra treat this Christmas time:  The Dorking Trussell Trust Foodbank in Surrey and many others will be putting together some nice Christmas treat items in goody boxes for their clients and the elderly this year.  Treats could consist of nice/luxury chocolates, biscuits, sweets, jams/spreads, chutneys and also mini Christmas puddings.  Treats to make people feel special. 

Simon Bradbury, managing director of Thomas Morris Sales and Lettings says: “Winter is an especially important time for donating food to foodbanks. People can often feel particularly low when the weather’s cold and if they know they can receive food donations, it can not only lift their spirits a little but even allow them to spend their limited cash resources on heating and other essentials”.

Find your local foodbank here.

-

Cash For Kids: Cash for Kids support children up to the age of 18 who are disabled, disadvantaged or suffering from abuse or neglect. It also ensures that all the money raised within each of its 22 different areas stays in the area to help provide a helping hand when and where it's needed the most.

Cardwells agency in Bolton and Bury says it’s gut wrenching to think that there are thousands of children in their local area who could be waking up to no presents on Christmas Day.

So come down to one of the firm’s offices in Bolton or Bury and kindly drop off your donation - they'll be much appreciated! 

-

Petersfield Town Juniors Football Club: The team received a £1,400 boost this month - thanks to a donation from David Wilson Homes. 

The club is a highly respected local sports resource, situated close to where David Wilson Homes is bringing new homes to the area; so the firm is contributing towards a new kit, training kit and manager training tops.

Martin Ewen from the club says: “We’re absolutely over the moon with this donation and David Wilson Homes’ kind generosity. It has enabled the team to receive a new kit and tracksuits for the entire squad and management.”

Organisations can now apply for one of the monthly grants by emailing charity.southampton@barratthomes.co.uk with details of their charity or organisation and how the donation would benefit the local community and improve lives.

Maggie’s Manchester: Finally this week a big ‘thank you and well done’ to Andrew Mellor, partner development manager at Homes4u in Manchester.

His three branches took part in a dress-down Friday as part of Outrageously Orange Day: this was just one of the fund-raising events it had in 2019 including dressing up in orange (of course), getting soaked on an assault course, running and walking around Manchester and joining in an annual quiz.

The team has raised over £3,000 this year - a great achievement.