Agents Do Charity - winter coats and support for schools

We are dedicating today's round-up to two important cause that agents are being called on to get behind.

Agents are being urged to get behind a campaign to collect much needed stationery and other resources for cash-strapped schools.

Industry consultant and Agents Together mentor Stephen Brown is encouraging property professionals to setup school supply collection points similar to the way agency branches regularly collect for food banks or winter coats.

It is part of a cause called Markers for Mindfulness that Brown is supporting.

The campaign has been launched by Year 13 student Daniel from Didcot after losing his best friend in 2019.

He has made it his personal mission to highlight youth mental health and help local schools, groups and students by providing school essentials and helping with budgeting cuts.

Markers for Mindfulness has been encouraging the local community to recycle unwanted items such as pens and pencils, as well as donating new ones including glue sticks, notebooks, pens, and whiteboard markers.

The idea is that the money schools save on writing supplies such as pencils and paper can be used to support student wellbeing instead.

Brown is helping organise collections in his area of London and is urging agents across the country to do the same.

He said: “The aim is to get agents to be drop-off points for supplies and then to take them to local schools.

“Agents are sitting on lots of old paper or pencils they don’t use because it may have old branding. 

“Schools are in need of these because of budget cuts.”

Brown’s own Computers for Schools campaign is ongoing and has now raised £120,311, with 1,170 tablets and computers distributed.

Find out more about Daniel’s inspirational campaign and contact Stephen to get involved.

Agents Giving: This November Agents Giving is once again partnering with Only a Pavement Away for its Winter Warmth campaign.

The event is designed to collect and distribute items ranging from coats, jumpers, and personal hygiene products to rough sleepers on the streets of the UK.

The 2022 Winter Warmth campaign will be run in the week commencing Monday 14 November, a time when many rough sleepers are starting to feel the effects of winter biting in. It is estimated that a minimum of 7000 people will sleep rough during the winter months.

There is always an acute shortage of warm clothing and personal products for those experiencing homelessness and the rigours of an English winter. 

This year, the charity is working with agents and suppliers to target areas and communities relevant to where they operate and distribute to local hostels and shelters.
Agents can help by collecting warm clothes and donating to a homeless charity, shelter or hotel in your area.

Two agents participating with the winter warmth campaign again this year are Drivers and Norris and Paramount.

Greg Mangham, founder of Only a Pavement Away, said: “We are thrilled to be running the Only a Pavement Away National Winter Warmth campaign again this year, it means so much to have the support of Agents Giving and the property industry to help get behind this and open up new avenues to support the work we do helping vulnerable people on the streets.”

David Newnes, chairman of Agents Giving, added: “Agents Giving are proud to be supporting the Winter Warmth Campaign with Only a Pavement Away and we urge you all to have a dig around in your cupboards for not only coats but warm items of clothing that you longer use or need."

Register your involvement at: https://agentsgiving.org/event/donate-a-coat-campaign/

Whatever the cause you are working for, at home or abroad, 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 - and perhaps win some more funds for you too.