Agents Do Charity - up for a challenge

A variety of charities have received support from the property industry over the past week.

If there are charitable endeavours 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.

Agents Giving: Industry charity Agents Giving has appointed three prominent industry figures to its board of directors.

Simon Bradbury, property consultant, Suzanna Mavity of Acaboom and Debbie Davies of Tenancy Deposit Scheme will share their experience and passion for charity work.

David Newnes, chairman of Agents Giving, said: “Agents Giving are delighted to welcome Debbie, Suzanna and Simon to the board with each of them bringing their enthusiasm and fun spirit that will help us immensely in our charity work. We look forward to them helping to drive, promote and grow Agents Giving as we plan for the future.”

Simon Bradbury recently left Thomas Morris after 10 years at the helm and is a well-known personality across the industry.

He said: “I am enormously flattered to have been asked to join the board at Agents Giving. I've long been a fan of the incredible work Agents Giving do with agents as well as a wide array of charities throughout the country. Above all, I want to add to the sense of fun that we can all have by doing the right thing and supporting our communities.”

Mavity has done an amazing job leading Do It for Dom and enthusiastically helping Agents Giving.

She said: “As a newcomer to the board, I'm eagerly stepping into the realm of Agents Giving. 

“It's akin to finally nabbing a spot at the grown-ups' table – except, instead of the usual banter, we're concocting grand schemes for positive impact. Picture trading lions and acrobats for spreadsheets and fundraising galas. But hey, who says making a difference can't have its moments of fun? I'm here to inject some fresh perspectives, extend a helping hand, and arrive armed with boundless enthusiasm."

Davies will help to drive the charities Regional Ambassadors Scheme.

She said: "I am honoured to join the Agents Giving Charity Board of Directors, a charity that aligns with my values and passion for making a positive impact in the property industry. 

“Having served as a Regional Ambassador since June 2019, I've witnessed first-hand the incredible work Agents Giving does, championing multiple fundraising activities that bring our community together. In my new role, I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute more significantly to this cause. Together with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, I look forward to continuing to support and promote the outstanding charitable initiatives that Agents Giving spearheads. Let's continue to make a difference together."

Barratt: The Young Lewisham Project has recently received a donation of £1,500 from developer Barratt London to help support young people who are not reaching their full potential in mainstream education. 

The developer launched its nearby Bermondsey Heights development two years ago. As part of its Community Fund scheme, Barratt London has helped many charities in the local area, including a recent donation to Rehoboth Foodbank based in Sydenham, to help replenish their food for those in the community who are in need.

The Young Lewisham Project is set up as an alternative learning provision, offering vocational programmes to young people. The donation has been put towards the project’s ‘Grub Club’, which teaches young people how to cook as well as the importance of a well-balanced meal. Over the last few months, The Grub Club has gained a huge interaction on social media from parents and young people around the community, resulting in many new referrals.

Barratt Kent is celebrating 2023’s fundraising successes for Porchlight, its chosen charity of the year. A total of £79,097.31 was raised by staff throughout the last year through various events, including employee sports day, a successful sleepout and a golf day. Now, these funds will be used to aid one of Kent’s largest charities supporting homelessness and vulnerable people.

Porchlight is Kent’s leading poverty, health and housing charity. It has been helping people facing homelessness, social exclusion and poor mental health for 50 years. Just last year alone, it gave vital support to 7,539 people. Barratt Kent kickstarted its fundraising for the charity in March 2023 with a sponsored ‘sleep out’ at Leeds Castle in Maidstone, raising almost £13,000 for the charity.

Barratt Kent has now announced Demelza as its 2024 charity of the year. Having previously donated £15,000 to the local Sittingbourne children’s charity to aid children and their families through difficult times for the last 25 years, Demelza’s exceptional efforts will now be supported by Barratt Kent for the year to come.

Stags: This year marks the 150th anniversary of Stags and to celebrate the occasion the valuations firm will be fundraising for four charities across the South West. 

Teams from each of Stags’ 22 offices will be taking part in a number of challenging and fun events in an effort to raise a total of £50,000. These include a demanding 420-mile cycle ride between each of our office locations and a ‘Great Stags Bake Off’. Every penny raised will help to support cancer patients and their families across the region thanks to our chosen charities, Ducks & Drakes in Dorset, SURE in Somerset, FORCE in Devon and the Tanya’s Courage Trust in Cornwall.

Sheldon Bosley Knight: One of Sheldon Bosley Knight’s (SBK) planning team is gearing up to abseil down a famous Midlands landmark for charity.

Associate director, and head of the planning and architecture department, Natasha Blackmore da Silva, will be taking on the challenge at Coventry Cathedral next month.

She will join more than 100 others abseiling down the side of the building on March 16 to raise vital funds for Myton Hospice.

The charity provides palliative care to those in need in and around Warwickshire and Coventry. As well as the hospices themselves, the teams are also on hand for the friends and relatives of those they care for, to ensure they are supported through what is a challenging and stressful time.

It is the fourth time Natasha will take part in the event which she signed up to do first in March 2020.

One of those who will be cheering her on will be her grandfather, Mike Edmunds, who was diagnosed with cancer four years ago.

Natasha said: “Sadly the statistics are sobering. One in two of us will get cancer and we will all know someone who has had or will have it.

“A lot of people need to rely on hospices such as Myton – either to care for them or their relatives as they go through cancer, or to provide specialist support, help and advice.
“It can be a very lonely, stressful and overwhelming time so as well as the buildings themselves, having the team there is enormously helpful.

“When my grandfather was diagnosed, I wanted to do something positive and as Myton Hospice does such great work, I decided to try and raise money through the abseil event.

“It is always a bit nerve-wracking to begin with but it’s an amazing feeling – and the views of Coventry are incredible. It’s also a great way to see the city in a different way.

"Thankfully my grandfather is doing well and some of the cancer cells have shrunk since he’s been on his medication. He will be supporting me, which is fantastic.”

Natasha has already beaten her personal target of raising £200. Last year an amazing £49,000 was donated and this year the teams hope to do one better and raise £50,000. So far the total stands at £29,000.

Find out more and donate: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/natasha-blackmore-da-silva3

Fine & Country: The Fine & Country Foundation’s Spring Grant Programme has opened, offering charities both in the UK and overseas much needed grants to aid projects in the fight against homelessness and poverty..  

During the previous round in Autumn 2023, 24 charitable projects were allocated funding, totalling £47,220. Fine & Country locations worldwide are encouraged to submit applications, nominating a charity for a donation of up to £3,000. The Foundation board will carefully review the proposed applications, with successful projects being awarded grants. This funding provides crucial support to charities, enabling them to sustain their vital community work. 

The Fine & Country Foundation was proud to donate £144,198 to charities around the world in 2023.

Jon Cooke, trustee of the Fine & Country Foundation, said: “The donations and grants that The Foundation give, play a part in providing essential financial support to many non-profit organisations fighting against homelessness and poverty. 

“Many of these organisations rely on donations to survive, and money they receive helps them to continue the vital work they are doing within their communities. The more donations The Foundation receives, the more charities and people we are able to help. Since its inception in 2014, The Foundation has raised over £940,000, which has made a huge impact in many communities. 

“We are aiming to reach the £1 million milestone this year in celebration of The Foundation’s 10^th Anniversary. Reaching this milestone will not be possible without the amazing effort and support of the network and generosity of the public who support our fundraising activities.”  

Fine & Country agents can apply by completing a document to nominate their chosen charity to receive a grant of up to £3,000. The Foundation will be accepting grant applications until Sunday 31 March 2024. The Foundation board will then review all applications and decide on the successful projects. They will be notified in April, with funds donated in May. 

For more information on eligibility and how to apply, contact your local Fine & Country agent or email grants@fineandcountry.com