Agents Do Charity - Ukraine appeals and help for the homeless

Spring may be struggling to break through the clouds but agents are continuing to step up for good causes.

The humanitarian crisis in Ukraine remains a concern and agents have also been busy fundraising for other appeals. 

Here is this week’s Agents Do Charity - another edition of good will and cheer generated by the industry’s fund-raising heroes.

Email details and photos of your fund-raising activity to press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and allow us to tell everyone else what’s going on.

The Fine & Country Foundation: Agents from the Fine & Country network, along with their families, friends and local communities are taking part in a charitable challenge to travel around the world in 80 days.

The aim is to accumulate a combined distance of 40,070km in 80 days by walking, running, cycling or swimming.

Aptly named the Around the World in 80 Days Challenge, participants have pledged to raise money for The Foundation, which will be donated to charities that are working to help those afflicted by homelessness and poverty.

All the kilometres for the challenge will be tracked on a fittest app, which will have a leaderboard of who is clocking up the biggest distance.

Jon Cooke, trustee of The Fine & Country Foundation, says: “We have a lot of agents and offices that hold their own fundraising events and have done remarkable things for The Foundation over the years. 

“This year we wanted to do something together as a group on an international scale that would help to raise funds for The Foundation to ensure that we can help as many people as possible in our upcoming grant schemes. 

“You don’t find yourself in the property sector unless you have a competitive nature. It will be interesting to see how the challenge motivates people to go that much further, and all for a good cause, which will surely add more to the tank.”A JustGiving page has been set up for the challenge to assist participants with fundraising. 

Caridon Property:  Agents at Caridon Property, along with chief executive Mario Carrozzo, took part in the Big Sleep Out at the end of March.

The annual event, in which fundraisers sleep out for one night, is organised to raise the profile of homelessness in Crawley and the surrounding areas and to raise vital funds for the services provided by homeless hostel Crawley Open House.

The firm raised £2,465.

The money raised by local organisations such as Caridon Property, ILG, Elliot Scott Group, currently totalling more than, £12,000 so far, will be used to purchase fittings and furniture for the new resource centre.

Carrozzo says: “Despite provisions put in place during the pandemic to help provide accommodation for those sleeping rough, there are still too many people sleeping rough in Crawley and surrounding areas, as well as many other parts of the country.

“Sleeping out for one night is just a tiny glimpse of the discomfort homeless people face every night and the services provided by Crawley Open House are absolutely vital to helping these individuals back on their feet.   It is a charity we have and will continue to support in the future in any way we can.”

Ian Wilkins, fundraising and relationships manager at Crawley Open House adds: “Crawley Open House is a residential homeless shelter, and it relies heavily on the generosity of the community around it. 

“Part of that wonderful community is Caridon Property, who have partnered with Open House for many years. 

“They have arranged a recent sponsored sleep out, donated Easter eggs and care packs, sent financial donations, attended fundraising events and always been so encouraging and open to help over the years.

“Few companies have been as proactive and thoughtful with their support. This generous spirit seems to come right from the top and filter down through the ethos of the company.”

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/caridon-group

Winkworth: Agents from the franchise network’s offices at Battersea, Clapham, Pimlico, Kennington lettings and West End donned yellow top hats and tabards to persuade commuters at Victoria Station to make a donation to support the Marie Cure UK Great Daffodil Appeal. 

The offices collected £2,470 for the appeal to help fund the vital services provided by Marie Curie in its hospices, community nurses and online support.

Winkworth's Martina Furian, who helped to organise the fundraising, says: "We were supporting a charity we can all relate to and it was a great way for team bonding."

Conveyancing Foundation: Industry charitable group the Conveyancing Foundation is launching a Ukrainian Charity Lotto Appeal.

It has previously raised £850,000 for charitable causes and has now created a charity lotto to raise funds for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

The charity lotto is open to all.

Everyone who takes part will need to make a £10 donation and there will be a monthly £500 prize draw.

The cost of the lottery entry is £1 and the £9 donation attracts Gift Aid for UK taxpayers, making every donation worth £11.25.

Convey Law has kickstarted the appeal with an initial £15,000 donation.

All proceeds will go directly to DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

Nicola Lancaster, from the Conveyancing Foundation, says: “By participating in the Conveyancing Foundation Charity Lotto you will be raising funds that will help DEC charities in Ukraine and neighbouring countries meet the needs of all refugees and displaced people.

"To put it in context, £30 could provide hygiene supplies for three people for one month, £50 could provide blankets for four families and £100 could provide emergency food for two families for one month.

“Companies that pledge £1,000 or more will be marketed on the Foundation Appeal webpage and all publications.

"We will also work with you to produce a dual branded video that you can share amongst your contacts to raise awareness and promote your involvement further to your clients.”