Agents Do Charity - and the funds keep on coming for good causes…

Hello and welcome to another round-up of our industry’s wonderful work for good causes.

Before we salute this week’s heroes, our usual appeal - let us know what you’re doing, please, by emailing press@estateagenttoday.co.uk. Then we’ll let the rest of the industry know!

Cycle clips on…let’s go…

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Le Jog Challenge: The Head Shepherd of hybrid agency EweMove is saddling up to take part in a charity bike ride that will see him cycle the length of England to Scotland.

This weekend, Nick Neill takes on the LeJog Challenge (Lands’ End to John O’Groats) to raise money for World Bicycle Relief.

The charity provides bicycles in poor parts of the world to give people a chance to benefit from employment, education and other opportunities that having two wheels gives them access to.

Nick says: “I’ve been training hard since the turn of the year and have always been a keen cyclist I wasn’t initially going to raise funds for a charity until I came across the incredible, life-changing work that World Bicycle Relief do.

“I was inspired by the story of a teenage girl in Kenya who is now able to get to school reliably as she has a bike, provided by WBR, and can save the 10-mile+ walk each way along treacherous roads.  Her future and her families are enriched because she can now gain a decent education.

“These bikes are purpose-built and cost £120 each. I hope I can raise enough money to supply a few more young people with bikes.”

You can sponsor Nick here. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/nick-neill2

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Martin House: A Yorkshire estate agent is ramping up its support for the region’s leading children’s hospice after a lull in fundraising activities due to Covid. 

And in resuming team activities, Linley & Simpson has pledged that for each new and successful sales or lettings instruction between now and the end of September, £100 will go straight to the charity on completion of a form.

 It is hoped this, together with a number of other planned fundraising events, will help the residential sales and lettings specialist smash this year’s target of £24,000.

Based at Boston Spa, near Wetherby, Martin House supports families across West, North and East Yorkshire, by providing support and palliative care for children and young people with life limiting conditions. 

Last weekend, Linley & Simpson team members took part in the York 10k, whilst other colleagues are signed up to compete in the Leeds 10k and Leeds Dragon Boat race – being held again in Roundhay Park.

Nick Simpson, Linley & Simpson chief executive, says: “Five years ago we made a commitment to support this wonderful charity, and I’m delighted to say in that time we have helped raise more than £100,000 for them. We chose Martin House as our charity of choice as it serves a geographical area akin to where our branches are located.

“Whilst the pandemic has reduced our fundraising activities, we have nevertheless set a target of raising £24,000 by the end of this year. One of our new initiatives just launched is that up to the end of September we will donate £100 for the completion of every new sales or lettings instruction.”

Agents Giving: Last year, The Guild of Property Professionals pledged that it would donate £50 to Agents Giving for every successful referral completed. With over 100 referrals completing in quick succession during the past few weeks through the network, the organisation will be donated over £5,000 to the charity this month. 

Iain McKenzie, chief executive of The Guild, says there has been a high number of referrals that have come through the network during the past few months as buyers raced to try complete before the Stamp Duty deadline. 

“With many buyers looking for a change in lifestyle, which meant possibly moving to another part of the country, Guild agents were able to refer buyers to other members in those regions that they wanted to move to. The result is that agents within the network were able to help each other gain more business, while being able to support Agents Giving” he adds.

“The Guild of Property Professionals is proud to be able to support the organisation and help those within the industry with the financial support they require to assist those in need and make people’s lives better,” Iain concludes.

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Royal British Legion Industries: Housebuilder Barratt Homes has contributed £10,000 for the veteran’s charity Royal British Legion Industries.

This follows regional director Mark Bailey and his partner Tracey participating in the charity’s annual cycle ride recently, for the second time. 

Mark comments: “We are proud to be a corporate partner of RBLI, which plays a vital role in supporting our service veterans. The annual cycle ride is a further opportunity to fundraise for the charity, and it is an honour to cycle amongst participants ranging from veterans to serving soldiers and even a Chelsea Pensioner.”

Barratt announced a multi-layered partnership with RBLI in 2019, which began with a £750,000 donation to RBLI’s Centenary Village with total fundraising to date approaching £1m.