Agents Do Charity - and an agent with Covid raises thousands…

Hello and welcome to Friday, the day when we highlight agents’ great work to raise funds for good causes despite the continuing challenges of Coronavirus.

As we await details of how and when parts of society will move out of lockdown, we’re continuing to get heroic stories of our industry raising money for good causes. 

Why don’t you join them by publicising your charity work? You can do so by emailing press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and allowing us to do the rest.

Fine & Country Foundation: After testing positive with COVID-19, being bedridden for almost a month and getting admitted to hospital twice, Sanjay Gandhi - who works for the agency’s branch in York - set out a personal challenge and fundraiser to walk 500km over three months, during lockdown.

After only two weeks, Sanjay exceeded his initial goal of raising £1,000 and on reaching the finish line he secured a total of £6,050 for the Fine & Country Foundation, which will go towards supporting poverty and homeless charities around the world.

“During lockdown, it was the perfect opportunity to raise funds by doing a charity walk that would benefit both parties. I finished my 504km walk on Christmas Day, and I am absolutely delighted to have raised over £6,000 on behalf of homeless.”

Jon Cooke, trustee of the Fine & Country Foundation says, “It is with great thanks to the efforts of people, such as Sanjay, that the foundation is able to run the Spring Grant Programme, providing donations to charities helping those experiencing poverty and homelessness around the world.”

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Laptops For School Children: Zoopla has donated almost 50 laptops to schools in London and across the commuter belt since the start of the year, and is encouraging agents who are able to do the same. Working with Business2Schools, a charity that connects businesses with unwanted office and technology equipment to schools and pupils who lack the infrastructure to support their education, Zoopla’s IT team first refurbish the laptops, before donating them to five schools in Crawley, Newham, Bexleyheath and Chelmsford.

“School children across the country are doing their best to learn from home despite the pandemic, but many lack the necessary resources to participate in virtual lessons and remote learning, and it’s putting their education at risk” says Catrin Anderson, Zoopla's chief people officer.  

“It’s our hope that the donation will support children who are most in need, and we must say a huge thank you to our IT team who have gone above and beyond to refurbish the laptops, getting them ready for use. We’d encourage our industry peers and partners to follow suit if they are able.”

Homeless Elderly Couple: A community-minded agent in Kent has helped an elderly couple made homeless due to a fire find somewhere to live. 

Warren Bowman of CWB Property in Snodland was made aware of the plight of the couple, who are in their eighties.

Warren says: “My heart went out to them. At the time, we only had apartments available, so they were not suitable. I emailed all our landlords to see if they had or knew of any suitable properties. I also asked for help across neighbourhood forums on Facebook.

“The response was incredible. A landlord contacted me saying she had a property ready that could be ideal. We arranged a viewing a few days after the fire, and they said they wanted it. We waived all our fees and carried out the work necessary to make the move go ahead smoothly.

“It was the least we could do, and the local community more than matched our efforts. When people heard about the fire and the couple’s situation, they rallied around with offers of furniture, clothes, you name it.

“This doesn’t surprise me though, as the best aspect of living here is the community spirit and the way people look out for each other. The couple have now moved in while their home is repaired. We wish them all the best.”

The picture here is of the couple's relatives picking up the keys on their behalf - well done CWB Property!