Agents Do Charity - caring for communities

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.

Thomas Morris: Jen Newton, assistant branch manager of Thomas Morris Biggleswade is taking on a skydive in aid of MacMillan Cancer on Sunday 23 July.

Her mum was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and lost her battle in June 2021 surrounded by her loving family.

Jen’s partner gave her a skydive voucher for her 40th birthday so she saw it as a great chance to raise money for an important cause.

She said: “Macmillan was brilliant throughout and I thought what better way to raise money than to do a skydive which has always been on my bucket list.”

Jen has a fundraising target of £500.

Find out more and donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jenny-newton-1689539092118

Mortgage Advice Bureau: The Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation has reached its first milestone fundraising target, having raised more than £100,000 for a host of projects, just one year after it was founded.

Established in 2022, the Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation is a grant-giving charity that supports community-based projects, with an aim to create awareness among staff and customers of the growing needs of the communities they live in or are choosing to move to.

Projects serve across three main areas: environment and conservation, health and wellbeing, and the prevention and relief of poverty. Special consideration is given to projects that support the disadvantaged, tackle equality, and encourage diversification.

Employees are encouraged – and supported – to volunteer with charities close to their hearts. 

The opportunity to raise funds for specific neighbourhood projects is available to customers, colleagues and partners across the MAB network. Grants are available between £500 to £5,000, with up to 50% of the total project cost funded depending on which is greater.

As of this month, the Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation has successfully raised £120,000 – a combination of £50,000 raised by employees and lenders, and the £50,000 matched by the Foundation. This is a result of the fundraising efforts of 12 projects, 10 of which were completed by our head office staff, and two by MAB’s lender partners.

Notable projects that have formed part of the Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation reaching their fundraising milestone include Faith in Families, a Swansea-based children’s charity working in deprived communities to help children facing traumatic circumstances.

Another is Flamingo Chicks, a charity in Bristol offering disabled children the opportunity to explore movement through dance.

Andy Frankish, chief executive of the Mortgage Advice Bureau Foundation, said: “I am proud to announce that we have surpassed the fantastic milestone of £100,000 in funds raised for the projects we have passionately supported since our inception in 2022. This achievement is a testament to the unwavering support of Mortgage Advice Bureau, its staff and many of its key business partners.

“Together, we have made a significant impact on individuals and communities, supporting vital initiatives right across the UK. However, this is just the beginning. The challenges faced by many individuals are vast and complex, but I am confident that together we can continue to build and amplify our impact. I would like to thank everyone for their help and generosity, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together in the future.”

Agents Giving: The annual Agents Giving Charity Ball, sponsored by Callwell and supported by Kamma was hosted at The Epsom Downs Racecourse last Friday.

It celebrated the outstanding fundraising efforts of the property industry as well as showcasing the industry’s dancing talent with the Strictly Agents Dancing Competition.

Guests enjoyed a fun packed evening of awards, dancing and live band ‘Souled Out’.

See the dancers here: https://agentsgiving.org/event/strictly-agents-dancing-charity-ball-2023/

The winner of the famous Agents Giving glitterball trophy was Abby Scott from Archer & Co with her stunning Cha Cha Cha that was compared to a professional dance level by the judges. 

Abby said: “Taking part in this year’s Strictly Agents Dancing was a great opportunity to raise money for a great cause including a charity that is close to my heart. It was an amazing experience, and I had the best time along the way."

Fellow Strictly dancer Natalie Barton from Propertymark said: “It was an absolute privilege to take part. It was an exceptional experience everyone involved made it all so special. It was honestly an experience I will treasure forever, and I feel so lucky to have been part of this year’s dance cohort”.

The winners of The Fundraising Champions Awards were also named by top London drag queen host Barbs.
· Best Team Fundraising: Dawsons Estate Agents
· Special Fundraising Award: Scott Gunn of eXp UK & Charlie Panayi of Red Squirrel Property Shop
· Best Individual Fundraisers: Vicky Bibiris of Location Location & Gabriella Warner of Spicerhaart
· Best CSR Award: Paramount
· Best Fundraising Campaign: Do It for Dom
· Best Creative Winner: Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings
· Best Social Media Winner: Dawsons Estate Agents
· Best Supplier Fundraising: PVS Media
· Best Community Fundraisers: Stephen J Brown Consultancy with Markers for Mindfulness & Thomas Morris
· Best Company Fundraisers: Location Location & National Home Move
· Outstanding Contribution for 2023 Fundraising: Drivers & Norris

See the full list of award winners and award sponsors: https://agentsgiving.org/event/strictly-agents-dancing-charity-ball-2023/

A special industry award for Outstanding Contribution to charity sponsored by Propertymark was won by Drivers & Norris.

Its managing director Scott Haliou said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won the Outstanding Contribution Award. We have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact throughout our community, working alongside Agents Giving. Our value driven support for charitable causes is at the heart of our company’s ethos and we are committed to making a profound effect."

David Newnes, chairman of Agents Giving, said: “We would like to thank our sponsors, supporters, donators, partners, and guests for a wonderful evening and especially our Strictly Agents Dancers who were truly sensational."

Strictly 2024 is already taking shape, if you would like the Strictly experience contact the event team- info@agentsgiving.org.

David Wilson Homes: Sawbridgeworth Town Football Club, based in Crofters End, is kicking off the summer season with a two-year sponsorship deal for its men’s team from local housebuilder David Wilson Homes, who is building at nearby Sawbridge Park.

David Wilson Homes has been in partnership with community based Sawbridgeworth Town FC since 2021 and has now extended this by a further two years taking the partnership up to 2025. 

This new and improved sponsorship will include providing home and away kits ready in time for the new season which starts in August. 

The kits were unveiled at the clubs first friendly of the season at the ground in Crofters End, on 11 July against Benfleet Football Club.

Marc Woolfe, director of sales for David Wilson North Thames, said: “Having supported Sawbridgeworth FC over the past two years, we have built up a strong relationship with them and it was amazing to see the kits on show for the past two seasons. 

“As a community-based club, we wanted to extend this partnership and invest in grassroots football, and the club have our full support behind them for this season!”

Ben Taylor, first team manager at Sawbridgeworth Town FC, added: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with David Wilson Homes for another two seasons, which has enabled us to freshen up the design of the home and away kits, ready to take on the new season."

Crest Nicholson: Buckinghamshire housebuilder Crest Nicholson has sponsored upgraded outdoor seating at Steeple Claydon Primary School for pupils and teachers to enjoy.

With 170 pupils from ages four to 11, Steeple Claydon Primary School provides an education for children located in and around the village. 

The new rainbow coloured bench, located in the primary school’s playground, is made of durable material ideally suited to the British weather and the range of activities it will be used for from enabling students to socialise during the school day and the events held at the school such as sports days and fayres. 

Christine Richards, headteacher at Steeple Claydon Primary School, said: “Thank you to Crest Nicholson for the generous donation of the bench. It has already become a central place for the children to socialise, chat, make friends and eat snacks together during their outdoor break times. 

“We cannot wait to see the children continue to use the bench during the upcoming spring and summer months, and the friendships between them grow and flourish.”

Charlie Joseph, sales and marketing director at Crest Nicholson Chiltern, added: “At Crest Nicholson, we’re not only committed to building homes but supporting the wider community. 

“Steeple Claydon Primary School is at the heart of the village and so we were really pleased to be able to support them to upgrade their outdoor seating area. We were delighted to hear that the be rainbow bench is already being put to great use by students as a fun space to enjoy their school time with friends.”

The Buying Solution: The team at buying agency The Buying Solution completed the Three Peaks Challenge this weekend.

They climbed the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales  - Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowden -  one after the other in less than 24 hours  to raise money for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charity.

Despite some incredibly challenging wet weather conditions, the team succeeded and have managed to raise more than £32,000 for charity, over their £30,000 target.

Team members who joined the challenge include Jonathan Bramwell, Mark Lawson, Harry Gladwin, Will Watson, Philip Eastwood and Giles Elliott.

The charity was chosen as their colleague James Clarke was recently diagnosed with MND and they wanted to do this to show support to him and his family. 
Bramwell said: “It was a huge challenge but for a very worthy cause. The team were exhausted by the end, but a well-deserved drink at the local was just what was needed.

“A special thanks to our guide Tim Bradshaw of Sandstone Communications and his wife, Samantha, as well as Mike Hope who drove the mini bus - your guidance, support and humour kept us going, thank you.

“Thank you to everyone who has donated to date. Your generosity and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated, and we know that the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation will be equally thankful.”

James Clarke has so far raised over £620,000 for the charity.
 
Find out more and donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/thebuyingsolutionthreepeakchallenge