Agents Do Charity - toughening up for good causes

Check out some of the latest charitable endeavours from agency and property brands this week.

If you have a charitable event or donations you think the rest of the industry should know about, please email us on press@estateagenttoday.co.uk, or get in touch via our social platforms, and we’ll do the rest.

Fine & Country: Associates from the Fine & Country network are coming together on 25 June for the East Midlands Tough Mudder event, all in the name of charity. 

Raising funds for the Fine & Country Foundation, the event will support local, national, and international charities in their fight against homelessness and poverty.

The team consists of 17 people who will be taking on the teamwork-inspired 5km course, jam-packed with 13 obstacles including daunting names such as Kiss of Mud, Mudderhorn and Electroshock Therapy. 

Many of the team members who completed the course last year still have flashbacks of Arctic Enema, which dunks participates in an ice pit. Participants include both support staff and associates, such as Nick Kendrick, Jayson Maver, Bert Rodgers, Lee Armstrong, Daniel White, Marie Fritz, Alex Strafford, Matt Stratford, Amy Sharpe, Clara McDonagh, and Alex Bittes, to name a few.

Team Captain, Graham Howell, Fine & Country, associate in Coventry and surrounding areas, said: “Many of the associates that took part last year have signed up again to torture themselves in the name of charity.

“It was a great event last year and we were able to raise a substantial amount of money for The Foundation. We are hoping to do even better this year. 

“The Fine & Country Foundation has done some incredible work in supporting charities who work with those impacted by homelessness and poverty. 

“Through events such as the Tough Mudder, we want to be able to give back and support people in situations less fortunate than ourselves, especially during a time when the cost-of-living crisis and rising energy bills is impacting so many charities that rely on donations.”

With the commitment to have fun and raise money despite the promise of achy muscles post-run, the team hope to reach their £500 target in June and have set up a JustGiving page to collect donations which can be found here 

The proceeds of these charitable efforts will go directly to The Foundation to be distributed to charities through the Grant Programme. In May 2023, the latest Spring Grant Programme a total of £45,488 was awarded to 28 charities across the UK and internationally.

Find out more: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/graham-howell2fineandcountryfoundation
 

John D Wood & Co: Agency brand John D Wood & Co has launched a charity partnership with Glass Door Homeless Charity, the UK's largest network of open-access services for people affected by homelessness.

Polly Ogden Duffy, managing director at John D Wood & Co, said: “Our partnership with Glass Door will bring us more opportunities to help people in vulnerable positions, whether it is by taking part in fundraising events, such as the Royal Parks half marathon, the Thames Path Challenge and wonderful Christmas carol concerts, donating much need items such as instant coffee, hot chocolate and underwear, or getting the chance to serve dinners and chat to Glass Door guests at winter shelters – we look forward to giving our time to those who need support.

“With the cost-of-living crisis on an upward trajectory, more and more people are finding themselves on the brink of homelessness.

“We are acutely aware that one of our core business areas – the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea – has one of the largest statistical gaps between the richest and poorest residents in all of London, so as the demand for the services Glass Door provides increases, our dedication to support this fantastic charity does too. We want to be a part of the formula that offers hope to those in need.”

Matt Hickey, head of fundraising and major donors at Glass Door, said: “John D Wood & Co. has been a generous supporter of Glass Door for many years now. They’ve raised thousands of pounds each year with their amazing Christmas Carol concert on Chelsea Green. “Its support has played a significant role in providing vital support to some of the most vulnerable people in London who are experiencing homeless.
 
“We both believe that nobody should have to sleep on the streets of London and we look forward to working together to support Glass Door guests in finding a pathway out of homelessness.”

Agents Giving: Property industry charity Agents Giving is celebrating its continued support of The Trussell Trust and local food banks with a nationwide campaign on Agents Giving Day.

Taking place on Thursday 15 June and supported again by The Guild of Property Professionals and Relocation Agent Network, the aim is to encourage support of all local food banks by donating food parcels.

Agents can help by preparing food parcels to donate to your local food bank.

Check with your food bank the items they are in most need of, collect them and make the donation.

Your office can collect food donations from your wider community, you can also contribute by purchasing and donating items via your local supermarket collection bin.

Last year, Agents Giving Day saw thousands of food items collected and this year it hopes to beat that figure.

David Newnes, Agents Giving chairman, said: "We are encouraging everyone to support their local food banks this Agents Giving Day. By simply collecting up and donating a food parcel it can help make such a difference to those living and going hungry in our local communities."

Tell Agents Giving which food bank you are supporting by registering: https://agentsgiving.org/event/15th-june-2023-agents-giving-day-support-your-local-foodbank/

Find your local food bank and see what items they require: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank

Foxtons: Agents from Foxtons have joined a mammoth fitness challenge to raise money in support of former area director James Clarke, who was diagnosed with MND in December 2021. 

James has been fundraising for motor neurone disease, specifically for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and its mission to fund research into effective treatments for motor neurone disease. Foxtons will be supporting James' efforts to raise money. 

More than 80 members of the Foxtons team were put through their paces by SAS: Who dares Wins presenter and former Marine Jason ‘Foxy’ Fox in an intense three-hour workout, aiming to raise funds for the foundation. 

Foxtons has already beaten its initial target of raising £10,000 for the charity and is pushing ahead to raise even more before the event.
  
The fitness challenge took place on Thursday 25 May at My Manor gym, Victoria. 

Find out more: https://lnkd.in/dXwnQmG4

Barratt Homes: The Prince’s Trust recently received £1,500 from housebuilder Barratt Homes following the King’s coronation on Saturday 6th May.

The donation, made by Watford-based Barratt North Thames through the Barratt Foundation’s Community Fund, will go towards the charity’s mission - that every young person should have the chance to succeed, no matter what their background or the challenges they face.

The donation contributed towards the Barratt Developments Million Makers team’s, Team Golden Bricks, fundraising total. 

This employee engagement initiative, provided by The Prince’s Trust, sees teams of employees from companies across the UK fundraise over six months to help change young lives. 

The donation made by Watford-based Barratt North Thames supported the team of graduates in raising over £128,000 for the charity.’

Marc Woolfe, head of sales at Barratt North Thames, said: “As both a responsible housebuilder and employer, we want to be able to help the younger generation as much as possible to be positive about the future.

“The work The Prince’s Trust do is integral to our young people who may come from disadvantaged backgrounds and need some extra help to prepare them for the working world, and we are proud to support them ahead of the Coronation weekend.”
 
Anna Sims, senior manager of employee fundraising at The Prince’s Trust, said: “We are very grateful to Barratt North Thames for their support of young people at this crucial time. 

“The donation will go towards the funding of a variety employability and enterprise programmes, which help people develop skills for employment and guidance on starting businesses.

None of our vital work could be done without the generous donations from employers across the country, like this one from Barratt North Thames.”
 

ASAP: Sales progression specialist ASAP has passed its fundraising target of £20,000 through its ‘Front Door Friday’ campaign.

The initiative commits to donating at least £1 for every completion to its charity partner, currently The Samaritans.

It has now raised £22,792 and has upped its target to £30,000.
 
Richard Megson, managing director at ASAP, said: “Every year the property industry helps thousands of people complete their house sale or purchase, mostly taking place on a Friday. 

“However, while for many, this may be a time of celebration, we should all spare a thought for those who aren’t having such a good day, hence we came up with Front Door Friday. We are committed to donating at least £1 for every completion we handle and we also ask house movers if they would like to donate at the point of completion. It is lovely how many donate and leave supportive messages on our Just Giving page.”

Find out more and donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/front-door-friday