Agents Do Charity - heart-warming causes

The temperature may be cooling outside but there is plenty of charitable warmth being shown by estate agents.

Whatever the cause you are working for, we would love to help.

Just send details (and images and videos too, please) to press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we will let the industry know.

Chestertons: London estate agency Chestertons is once again turning its network of 31 offices across the capital into collection points to allow members of the public to donate their unwanted garments for its annual Coat Drive. 

In partnership with the ‘Calling London’ charity, the agency’s branches are aiming to collect 5,000 coats and jackets, which will all be distributed to vulnerable Londoners.

Chestertons has been championing this initiative for eight years and 3,500 coats were collected last year. 

This year, the agency is aiming to collect even more adults and children’s coats and, for the first time, will also be accepting fleeces and gilets. 

Once the Coat Drive ends on 22 November, the donations are taken to a sorting centre before being distributed to more than 30 charities helping the homeless, victims of domestic abuse, those living in poverty, the elderly, refugees and children.

Salah Mussa, chairman of Chestertons and chief executive of the Chestertons Foundation, said: “With the nation facing rising living costs and higher heating bills, there will be more people than ever going cold this winter and the need for our annual coat drive has never been greater. 

“We are aiming to collect over 5,000 coats this year and encourage anyone with a spare coat to bring it to any one of Chestertons’ London branches before 22nd November.”

Frances Manthos, founder of Calling London, added: “No Londoner should be without a warm winter coat because they cannot afford one, especially a child. 

“Since 2011, Calling London, has been collecting warm winter coats from the public to redistribute them across London to people most in need. Over the years, we have given away over 45,000 coats. Last year we collected 7,500 and this year we are aiming to collect 10,000 in total.”

Chestertons is now urging people to drop their unwanted winter items to any of its branches in London before 22 November. Clean, warm coats, jackets and fleeces of all colours and sizes are required.

To find your nearest office, please visit: https://www.chestertons.co.uk/en-gb/network/  

Batcheller Monkhouse: South East England estate agency Batcheller Monkhouse took part in the annual Wear It Pink day last week to help raise awareness and money for Breast Cancer Now.

The charity raises money to help fund life-changing research and support those affected by breast cancer. 

It has a goal that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live, and be supported well.

The agency’s staff raised money by wearing pink clothes and baking delicious pink treats. 

Even the office dogs couldn’t get away without a hint of pink.

The cause is close to Batcheller Monkhouse’s hearts as a colleague Justine passed away after suffering from breast cancer two years ago.

The agent said on its JustGiving page: “Justine was a keen supporter of Breast Cancer Now through the Wear It Pink fundraiser, so we proudly continue to support this cause in her memory, and for all those who continue to fight against this terrible disease.”

> Find out more and donate.

The Seraph Group: Staff members of property firm The Seraph Group have come up with a smoking hot way to raise money for charity.

Its staff walked over 1,264 degrees of burning hot coals in a firewalk challenge for partner charity Ty Hafan.

Seraph has raised nearly £500 for this event alone, which adds to their total of £6,970 for the year. 

One of its estate agent branches Nuttall Parker has also donated £50 from every sales fee for every house they have sold over the last 12 months. 

The group has also completed a branch-to-branch charity walk, walking over 15 miles from Cardiff to Newport.

> Find out more and donate.