Agents Do Charity on this (official) first day of spring...

The Met Office says today, March 1, is the first official day of spring - perfect timing to coincide with the end of the sunniest February on record.

But the return of rain and cold weather hasn’t dampened the industry’s spirits when it comes to fund-raising for good causes, as our weekly roll call of honour shows.

Thanks to all those who have been in touch and please remember - just drop us a line at press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we’ll share your great efforts with the industry.

Now, watch out for the snowdrops and away we go…

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Anthony Nolan Blood Cancer Charity: London agency Marsh & Parsons has held its first fundraising event - and what a night it was! No fewer than 80 staff put their general knowledge and game-show skills to the test in a pub quiz/bingo showdown in Brixton.

The agency raised a splendid £835 for Anthony Nolan, all of which goes to help the charity match even more stem cell donors with patients who desperately need their help. 

Marsh & Parsons is incredibly proud to be supporting their vital work and look forward to working closely with them this year to fundraise and grow awareness so that more people can benefit from their lifesaving work. And if you would like to support the charity you can do so by donating on Marsh & Parsons’ Just Giving page.

The agency will be fundraising for Anthony Nolan throughout the course of 2019 aiming to generate £25,000 by spearheading corporate and individual fundraising initiatives.

Patrick Littlemore, CEO at Marsh & Parsons, says: “As soon as we were introduced to the charity we knew it would be the perfect match, as we share not only a desire to ‘match’ (in our case people and property), but also a shared ethos and wish to better the communities we live and work in. We hope to raise both money and awareness in order to ensure the charity can save and improve the lives of more people with blood cancer, and will encourage our employees and all who we come into contact with to do the same.”

Since 1974, Anthony Nolan has matched over 18,000 people in desperate need of a transplant with donors, giving patients and their families a second chance of life.

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British Heart Foundation: Over the Valentine’s week Beresfords pledged to match every property that their staff valued with a donation of £10 to the British Heart Foundation, to help fund life saving research in the fight against heart disease.

The Beresfords staff managed to complete a total of 141 valuations resulting in a donation total of £1,141 to the charity. 

Sophie Tibbetts, BHF fundraising manager, says: “The money raised will be used to fund some of the world’s leading scientists with their research into finding breakthroughs that will save lives. With the support of the likes of Beresfords, we are taking huge steps towards beating heart disease, and keeping people with their loved ones for longer”.

Beresfords senior group marketing manager Nicki Treffers adds: “We are committed to supporting as many local and national charities as we can. We have long been supporters of The British Heart Foundation having had one of our very own directors experience open heart surgery first hand whilst in his early twenties, lucky he made a full recovery. Without support the charity would not be able to make the difference that it does.”

Fine & Country Foundation grant programme: Throughout this month, March, you can help your favourite homeless charities gain £3,000 by nominating them for a grant from The Fine & Country Foundation.

In April, The Fine & Country Foundation assess the needs of each grant application and its impact on their clients to determine which charities will receive funding.

Foundation coordinator Charlotte Schofield says: “Homelessness is promoted and stressed during the colder months of the year largely because of the health risks associated with winter. Unfortunately, the problem doesn’t go away as we move into spring.

“We understand the desperate need of homeless charities who request funding so we ask them to apply in March. Applications are assessed in April and distributed in May. Every penny donated is accountable to a specific project so donors can see exactly how their generosity makes a difference.”

Last year, £119,380.04 was awarded to 25 homeless charities across the world. In 2019, The Fine & Country Foundation would like to reach more charities.

Throughout the year, Fine & Country estate agents raise money for their charity through fundraising events of all shapes and sizes and give £100 per completion. Offices invite their clients to give a donation and select a homeless charity to support. Any unallocated donations go into The Fine & Country Foundation grant pot to be distributed in spring and autumn each year.

To apply for a grant, visit www.fineandcountryfoundation.com.

To nominate a charity, email foundation@fineandcountry.com with the name of your chosen charity.

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CATFEST 19: Estate agency trainer and consultant Julian O’Dell’s fundraiser festival Catfest, named after his wife Cat, is all set to happen again in July. 

Last year’s event raised over £45,000 for Action Against Cancer and the aim is to beat that total this time around.

Catfest’s supporters help ensure costs are covered so the O’Dells are extremely grateful to TM training & development, Simon Whale’s Kerfuffle, Rightmove, Elevation Estate Agents, JNP Estate Agents, Drivers and Norris Estate Agents, Eurolink, Reapit Software, Acaboom, Land & New Homes Network, Manning Stainton Estate Agents, Negotiator magazine, Moneypenny, Agents Giving, Nock Deighton with others coming on board soon.

The mini-festival in the O’Dells’ garden in Hulcote, Milton Keynes will include over 10 hours of exceptional music, wonderful food and copious drink. It is a unique festival as everything is included in the ticket price.

Musical treats will include the fantastic ABBA Arrival and rising star Alex Jayne, regular Catfest star turns Straw Bear, The Alice Band and Fred’s House as well as a few more great acts.

Some fascinating auction lots will be up for grabs with details released soon. There will also be a selection of Julian’s artwork on sale.

Action Against Cancer are a small charity with low overheads, undertaking brilliant research work in establishing new treatments for the disease. 

Cat herself explains “As cancer patients, we all need hope. Research for cures or better treatment gives us that hope. We are therefore proud to support Action Against Cancer.”

Aside from the fundraising objective, Catfest aims to celebrate the fact that against all odds, Cat has successfully managed the illness for almost nine years. 

For more details and tickets, Julian can be reached on 07718 634235 or julianodell@live.co.uk