Agents Do Charity - warm clothes and Christmas globes

Agents have been getting into the Christmas spirit and recognising the colder weather when it comes to charity this week.

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.

Roberts and Co: Preston estate agency Roberts and Co is collecting donations of warm clothing for a homelessness charity to give to people sleeping on the streets this winter. 

Drop off points are available at its offices in Penwortham and Lostock Hall in Preston for people to donate new and second-hand jumpers, hats, and gloves as well as new socks and underwear in the run up to Christmas. 

Everything collected will be distributed by homelessness charity Emmaus Preston’s outreach team, whose Free Streets’ workers support people sleeping rough with clothing and advice in key towns across the North West. 

Emmaus Preston provides accommodation, support and meaningful work in social enterprises for more than 50 people in Lancashire. This is mainly funded through the sale of second-hand and new household goods at three charity superstores in the city. 

The agent’s managing director Emma Roberts said: "We chose Emmaus Preston as our charity of the year because we like the ethos of Emmaus. 

“People are given a hand up and not a handout, with supported work opportunities and training as well as accommodation.

“We want to help Emmaus Preston reach out to people living on the streets this winter and hope people will take part in our Winter Warm Up Appeal by dropping off new and second hand clothing to our office collection points." 

As part of the estate agent’s drive to support Emmaus Preston this year, it has pledged a share of housing sales, raising a total of £1,390 to date. 

Earlier in the year, Roberts and Co also held free information sessions at the charity, providing tenancy advice for when people supported at Emmaus are ready to move on. 

Director of Emmaus Preston, Stephen Buchanan, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Roberts and Co for the support they have shown us this year. 

“Every item of clothing you can give to the Winter Warm Up Appeal will help Emmaus Preston support people sleeping rough, as we aim to bring more people in from the cold across the North West this winter.”

Drop offs are welcome during opening hours at Roberts and Co Estate Agents Penwortham, 36 Liverpool Rd, Preston, PR1 0DQ and Lostock, 50 Watkin Ln, Lostock Hall, Preston PR5 5RD. Open 9-5pm Monday to Friday and 9-4pm on Saturdays. 

Doctor Photo: Agency media provider Doctor Photo (DCTR) has joined forces with Agents Giving to raise money this Christmas.

Agents and developers can send DCTR their exterior property photos to be transformed into a snow globe – either as a photo or animated. 

That could be perfect for social media, email campaigns, Christmas cards & window displays.

Photos are priced at £10+VAT and animated Gifs and .mp4 videos are £15+VAT each.

DCTR will be donating half of all its snow globe revenue to Agents Giving. 

Tom Durrant, managing director at DCTR, said: “Every year we get asked by lots of agents and developers to transform their property pics into a Christmas scene. 

“Traditionally we’ve added snow and Christmas decorations but this year we’re launching snow globes in partnership with Agents Giving – donating half of all associated revenue to the charity.

“It’s a great opportunity to thank vendors and suppliers with a personalised message or paint their marketing channels with a bit of Christmas cheer. We hope that we can raise lots of money for Agents Giving in the process.”

Agents can order the globes via the Doctor Photo platform or email studio@DCTR.co.uk.

DOMVS: Neil Greenway, director of Dorset-based DOMVS estate agents faced his worst fears by skydiving over Old Sarum near Salisbury last month to raise money for the brand’s charity partner, Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

Neil, who was signed up to the challenge by his wife, Polly Greenway, also a director of the agency, said: “I can’t say that I was looking forward to the jump, but it was an incredibly exhilarating experience, and I am truly thrilled to have raised more than £1,000 so far for such an amazing charity.”

Polly added: “Weldmar provides specialist end-of-life care for adults with life-limiting illnesses and were chosen as our charity partner because of the extraordinarily compassionate support they provide, not least to my late mother. 

“We are always thinking of ways to raise more money for Weldmar, and I’m so proud of Neil for getting out of his comfort zone and doing something that I knew would be a challenge. It’s a relief to have him back on firm ground and we’re also blown away by all the support we have received from family and friends on our sponsorship page”.

The sponsorship is still open or those who would like to make a donation towards Weldmar Hospicecare: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/domvs-weldmar-fundraising

Bradley Hall: Property specialist Bradley Hall is set to host its largest annual festive fundraiser with the aim of raising £75,000 for local charities. 

The event, which will host 700 guests at The Fed, Gateshead, has announced key sponsors - The Inn Collection Group, Smart Vision Screens, Smart Outdoor, Strata and Portfolio North.

Since the launch of its annual fundraiser Bradley Hall has raised and donated over £200,000 for local charities, community action projects and grassroot sports clubs.

This year’s fundraiser is in aid of supporting three local charities: Marie Curie Newcastle’s Hospice, Heel & Toe Children’s Charity, and NE Youth. 

Neil Hart, group chief executive at Bradley Hall said: “This year’s festive fundraiser will be bigger and better than any of the events we have ran before, and the team is very excited to raise £75,000 for worthy local charities.

“As a firm we aim to support local economy, business, and communities with a full-service approach to residential and commercial property. Our vision is to work together with key organisations and people to make the North a consistently better place to live, work and socialise – which is at the very heart of why we began hosting the festive fundraiser.

“Being able to give back to three very important local charities such as Marie Curie’s Newcastle Hospice, Heel & Toe, and NE Youth is something we are very proud of, and we would like to thank our guests and business partners who have purchased tables and the local businesses which have donated prizes.”

To enquire about how to donate prizes or for table information please contact Jordan Bowler, jordan.bowler@bradleyhall.co.uk

Agents Giving: The Agents Giving Christmas Stocking campaign supporting local food banks is back in the run up to Christmas.

The industry charity is calling on the industry to support their local foodbanks, many of which are struggling with adequate supplies.

Agents can show their support with their time, collections and donations for their own local food banks.

The campaign encourages firms to fill a stocking or two with goodies and donate to your local food bank, meaning in addition to the basic food parcel those in need will receive the extras that everyone loves and deserves at Christmas.

Items the food banks need to provide an extra helping hand this festive season are:
· Boxes of chocolates
· Selection boxes
· Chocolate oranges
· Tubes of sweets
· Hanging chocolates for the tree
· Christmas crackers
· Chocolate coins
· Christmas cakes & bars
· Christmas biscuits

Collect what you can in your office, ask your community and other local businesses to support you, pop into a stocking of any size and donate onto your local food bank who will be delighted to receive your support.

You can share how you are supporting this campaign at: https://agentsgiving.org/event/christmas-stocking-campaign/ and don’t forget to share your Christmas stocking donation photos.