Agents Do Charity - good tidings

Agents have been spreading plenty of festive cheer as the year comes to an end, supporting foodbanks and a variety of charities.

See some of the latest industry charitable exploits below.

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.

Spicerhaart: The family of a brave youngster with a rare disease have thanked bosses of an agent’s in-house charity for helping them make lifelong memories with a spectacular trip to Disneyland Paris.

Emily Mills, 5, was one 16 children and their families who were invited on the latest trip organised by Magic Moments – the in-house charity of estate agency Spicerhaart.

Magic Moments host regular trips to Disneyland for children with life limiting illnesses, and their families, and has raised more than £1million in donations since it was launched in 1998.

The latest adventure in early December was the third trip organised in 2022 with almost 200 people being whisked away to France.

Emily has Dravet Syndrome – a rare form of epilepsy – and was chosen for the trip alongside mum Catherine, father Gareth and her big sister Rosie who live in Peterborough.

Catherine admitted she was nervous about the trip even after accepting the offer, but has now thanked the Magic Moments trustees for making it a holiday to remember.

She said: “Our family, solely down to Magic Moments, has made lifelong memories and bonded together beyond our wildest dreams.

“We laughed, played, and actually became kids again and allowed ourselves to enjoy everything.

“Rosie saw her mum and dad be spontaneous for the first time since Emily was born.

“Emily got to ride the carousel as many times as she wanted because she loves horses.

“Rosie got to be a kid in a magical kingdom, without a care in the world which is something I will treasure forever.

“This is a gift that goes way beyond a holiday to Disney.

“It is a gift that brought us back together as a family, united us, and allowed us to be us again for which we are eternally grateful.”

Emma Barber, chair of Magic Moments said: “The experience Emily and her family had is exactly what Magic Moments strives to achieve on these trips.

“Feedback like this makes all the time and effort everyone puts in well worth it.

“Thank you to everyone at Spicerhaart who has raised money and supported Magic Moments especially in such difficult economic times, your efforts and donations ensure we can continue to provide these trips.”

The Hill Group: A virtual Christmas raffle run at Knights Park in Eddington has raised more than £1,000 for Cambridge City Foodbank. 

Organised by housebuilder The Hill Group, the fundraising makes a valuable contribution to this local cause at a time when there is an increased demand for emergency food support.

The computer-generated raffle formed part of the festive market held recently at Knights Park, where over 300 visitors enjoyed a fabulous range of stalls from local independent businesses, as well as musical entertainment from The Rockabellas to get them in the festive mood.

Prizes included overnight breaks at the Hyatt Centric Hotel and the Turing Locke apart-hotel kindly donated by the hotels, goodies from the Cambridge Satchel Company and Cambridge Wine Merchants, a lavish hamper of goodies from stallholders at the market, and other exciting prizes from Cambridge based businesses.

Rebecca Littler, group sales and marketing director at The Hill Group, said: “Thank you to everyone who entered our raffle and helped raise this incredible sum of money for Cambridge City Foodbank.

“The foodbank is doing amazing work supporting people in need this Christmas and it makes a huge difference in the lives of local people in crisis. It was great to see so many people come together at the festive market to enjoy an afternoon of festive fun, shopping and entertainment. The growing sense of community at Knights Park is evident.”

Steve Clay, chief executive of Cambridge City Foodbank, added: “We are thrilled to have received such a generous donation from The Hill Group. Support like this makes a huge difference, especially at such a difficult time for so many, and means that Cambridge City Foodbank can continue to help local people in crisis across the city.”

Finders Keepers: Estate agency Finders Keepers has exceeded its goal to raise £50,000 for three Oxfordshire charities.

TeamFK, which comprises around 90 people, have taken part in a variety of fundraising activities from bake sales and quiz nights to collection buckets and skydiving this year.

Throughout 2022, TeamFK has been raising funds for Dementia Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire Mind and Sobell House Hospice in really creative ways.

A team of three cycled from London to Paris, two groups climbed Snowdon (one overnight, one dressed as dinosaurs) and many offices held static bike challenges or the chance to ‘buy’ a duvet day by donating to charity.

Its running total received a welcome injection in December with many of its landlords donating a day’s rent, which added more than £11,000 to the pot and pushed the brand over the £50,000 target. 

Emma Croft-Pearson, associate director of Finders Keepers, said: “We wanted to celebrate our 50th year by achieving something positive for the communities that we have operated in since 1972.

“I am utterly humbled by the astounding efforts of our team members. 

“We have all had a tough few years so to see this goal not only reached, but passed, is testament to our people’s determination and passion.” 

Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings: Agency brand Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings is well known for its charity and community work, having won multiple awards for their considerable efforts in 2022.

To celebrate those efforts, it has produced a Christmas Carol video highlighting what they’ve been up to in the past 12 months in association with Agents Giving.

Their singing talents may not quite up to their efforts to support their local communities, but you make your own mind up…