Agents Do Charity - starting to feel a bit like Christmas

Welcome to this week’s Agents Do Charity, our chance to salute those who do so much to help others.

If your agency is doing a little charitable something which we should bring to the attention of the industry, please email press@estateagenttoday.co.uk - and we’ll do the rest! 

Fine & Country Foundation: The Fine & Country Foundation’s annual Carols by Candlelight Concert in collaboration with King’s College Cambridge is set to return on Sunday 3 December.

Set within the historic surroundings of King’s College Cambridge, this landmark provides the perfect backdrop for an evening of festive celebration and charitable giving.

Last year's event was a resounding success, raising more than £17,000 in support of homeless charities that provide vital services to those in need across the Cambridgeshire region. 

Once again, the proceeds from this year's Carols by Candlelight Concert will be distributed among four deserving charities: Emmaus Cambridge, Jimmy's Cambridge, Wintercomfort, and Cambridge Cyrenians. These organisations are dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of homeless individuals in the region.

Attendees will be treated to the enchanting melodies of the King's Voices, the mixed choir of King's College, founded in October 1997 under the direction of Dr John Butt. 

Jon Cooke, trustee of the Fine & Country Foundation, said: "Through the support of the Fine & Country network and the public, The Foundation has been able to have a positive impact on many people's lives around the globe. 

“The annual carol concert has been a massive contributor towards the money The Foundation has raised over the years and has helped support many charities and non-profit organisations in the work they are doing in their communities."

The Carols by Candlelight Concert will begin at 5pm, followed by a reception with mulled wine and mince pies for VIP guests. 

For ticket information and event details, visit: www.fineandcountryfoundation.com

Harrison Boothman: An estate agent from Skipton in North Yorkshire has raised more than £1,000 for a children’s charity by completing his first ever marathon in New York.

Sam Shaw, a director at Harrison Boothman Estate Agency, crossed the Atlantic to compete in the iconic New York City Marathon on Sunday 5 November, raising £1,800 for The Principle Trust Children’s Charity.

The money raised will fund much-needed respite breaks for families with children who are underprivileged, disadvantaged, disabled, have life-limiting conditions, or who have experienced poverty, trauma or abuse.

Despite battling Covid in the weeks leading up to the race, Shaw completed the 26.2-mile-challenge in an impressive five hours and 18 minutes.

Attracting around 50,000 participants from over 150 countries, the TCS New York City Marathon is the biggest marathon event in the world and traverses all five New York City boroughs.

Sam, who is 41 and lives in Skipton, spent six months training for the event by completing half-marathon stretches of the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath between Gargrave and Bradley. He also received training support from Craven Energy Triathlon Club, where he is a member.

He said:  “Running in the New York City Marathon was one of the toughest challenges of my life but I’m delighted to have achieved this personal ambition whist raising money for such a great cause; every year the Trust helps hundreds of disadvantaged, disabled and poorly children to escape their everyday troubles and create valuable, happy memories.”

Find out more and donate: https://localgiving.org/fundraising/sam-shaw-runs-new-york-marathon/

David Wilson Homes: For the fifth year, David Wilson Homes is opening its sales and marketing suites across the south east for international relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse’s Operation Christmas Child initiative.

All sales & marketing suites in the following locations will be open for residents to drop off their donations of unwanted items until 20 November:
•    Applegate Park, Sittingbourne
•    Chilmington Green, Ashford
•    Martello Lakes, Hythe
•    Richmond Park, Dover
•    Saxon Fields, Thanington
•    Spitfire Green, Ramsgate
•    The Poppies, Maidstone
•    The Woodlands, Canterbury

Guidelines for the shoeboxes from the Samaritan’s Purse are as follows:
· Select the gender and age group of the intended recipient.
· Fill the box with gifts and wrap the box and lid separately with festive wrapping paper.
· Purchase, print and attach the delivery label to the top of the shoebox

Hygiene items such as toothbrushes, bars of wrapped soap, combs or hairbrushes and flannels are also suggested for inclusion. However, due to import/export restrictions, toothpaste, sweets, lotions and liquids are prohibited alongside used or damaged items, war-related items, religious or political literature, medicines, aerosol cans and sharp or fragile items.

For further details on Operation Christmas Child, please visit, samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child
 

Simon Whale: More than £500 has been raised by agents for the British Liver Trust after industry giant Simon Whale revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer.
A JustGiving page was setup by Thomas Morris’ Simon Bradbury.

Find out more and donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/thomas-morris-1698940819086?utm_campaign=lc_frp_share_transaction_fundraiser_page_donation_received_-_nth_donation&utm_content=86951be5-10bd-4736-8a44-c675fa7b931f&utm_medium=email&utm_source=postoffice&utm_term=1699169448163

Meanwhile, Russell Quirk has released part one of a video showing what happened when he won a charity auction to make Whale his “servant for a day.”

Watch the video below: