Agents Do Charity - on a “phew, what a scorcher!” weekend

It’s hotting up out there as a beautiful summer’s weekend beckons - an ideal time for some fund-raising in the sun, one might say.

Certainly the industry is still doing great work despite the difficult circumstances, so congratulations to everyone we feature this week.

If you want you hard work recognised, please let us know on press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we’ll publicise it to the industry.

Here we go this week…

Fine & Country Foundation: Fine & Country is donating £100 to its foundation for the completion of every successful referral in the network around the world. 

The money raised will be used to fight against the causes of homelessness and poverty by supporting charities who have been greatly impacted by these challenging times.

Jon Cooke, global chief executive of Fine & Country, says: “Over recent years the foundation has given away thousands of pounds to help the homeless and those in poverty. [We} are dedicated to building on this success and we are really pleased to announce this initiative. Putting it simply, by referring across our network we can help those in need - a great way to give something back, particularly in these challenging times.”

Since its inception, the Fine & Country Foundation has already donated almost £460,000 to various charities around the world that share the mission of ending homelessness - key charities, such as Path Torbay and Nourish, both of which received donations through the Fine & Country Spring Grant programme.

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Martin House Hospice: The 20-branch Yorkshire agency Linley & Simpson is backing this great charity with a landmark donation of £25,000.

This latest donation takes the total raised for the charity in the last five years to almost £100,000.

Based near Wetherby, Martin House supports families across much of Yorkshire, providing support and palliative care for children and young people with life limiting conditions. Martin House relies entirely on donations and fundraising to cover the £8m needed a year to provide the vital care that it offers. 

The estate agency had a calendar of activities planned to raise funds, including taking part in Martin House’s annual Dragon Boat Race, staff members undertaking the Total Warrior challenge, as well as hosting a company Easter bake-off. 

As their chosen charity, members of the Linley & Simpson team also usually carry out voluntary work throughout the year.

Emily Wilkinson, Linley & Simpson’s Wetherby branch manager, says: “Despite being unable to carry out a host of fundraising activities due to COVID-19, we were determined to continue our support for this wonderful charity. We did not want the hospice to miss out on the funds that they need to keep on providing the high standard of palliative care to families across Yorkshire, so we are delighted to be able to give them £25,000.”

NHS Charities Together: Auction specialist iamsold and sister company iamproperty, have had a team challenge to collectively walk 7,000 miles in their free time during July. After 31 days of walking, they completed 7,480 miles, raising £3,705 for NHS Charities Together which included a contribution from the company. 

Managing director Jamie Cooke says: "Although people have been apart over the last few months it's been a time for us to come together in support of each other. The NHS has been truly amazing so we wanted to show our immense gratitude and play a small part in contributing to the fundraising that's gone on all over the UK for NHS Charities Together. It was brilliant to see the team give our miles challenge their best shot and the camaraderie, helping to keep us all connected while we're working remotely. We know the funds raised will be put to great use."

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Kentish Town Local Businesses: Property competition draw company Winmydreamhome is creating its next competition to ensure a proportion of its takings are gifted to local small businesses. 

This will happen when the draw closes in January. 

“I have worked in this area for many years and witnessed the amazing growth in the area of really special small independent businesses. Unfortunately, these great companies that took a chance on opening in the area have suffered and I just want to give something back to the community that have supported us over Covid-19” says the chief executive of the competition company, Marc Gerson.