Agents Do Charity - strong support

A variety of charities have received support from the property industry this 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.

Wards: In 2024, Wards estate agents, founded by Paul Rooney, is celebrating the 21st anniversary of the awards. 

First beginning in 2003, the awards share stories of brave children who overcome so much, families who defy expectations and charities who support so many in the community.

There are six categories with multiple age ranges that children, young people, families and charities can be nominated for including; Brave & Courageous child of the year, Young Volunteer or Fundraiser of the year, Young Hero of the Year, Exceptional Young Carer of the year, Outstanding charity of the year and Courageous family of the year.

In 2023, the event had an incredible turnout, with families travelling across the South East to enjoy a theme inspired by books, hosted by Aldo Sotgiu, Managing Director of Wards, and Charlotte Hawkins, Good Morning Britain presenter.

The Wards Children’s Awards nominations are now open, and Wards Estate Agents is looking for some incredible nominees to celebrate this September. 

If you know of a child, young person, family or charity that has triumphed against adversity or has done incredible things to support those around them, nominate them here:https://www.kentonline.co.uk/features/wards-awards-2024

Barratt David Wilson Homes: Housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes has donated £1,500 to the Footprints Baby Loss Twin & Triplet charity to provide support for parents and families who have experienced the death of one or more of their twins or triplets before, during or after birth.

The donation will help the charity give a support network and safe space for families in need of its service and will support its aim to raise £5,000 in its first month.

Launched by Sharon Darke and Suzie Scofield, who founded the charity based on their own experiences of twin and triplet loss, Footprint’s Baby Loss offers an inclusive approach to bereavement services and provides a community network for parents.

With 40 volunteers, the charity provides three main types of support, including a peer-to-peer befriending system, online support groups and a virtual Facebook community where parents come together in a safe, non-judgemental space to ask questions and remember their children with others.

Footprint’s Baby Loss also proactively reaches out to hospitals and healthcare professionals, to ensure they are aware of its services and can refer parents in need.

With plans to host a fundraising event in March and a Remembrance Day in October following its launch this month, the donation will enable the charity to support the parents in their time of need.

The donation comes from The Barratt Foundation, the housebuilder’s charity partnership, which supports children, young people and disadvantaged groups wherever Barratt Developments PLC, of which Barratt David Wilson Southern is a part of, operates across the UK.

Darke said: “Myself and Suzie met when I was her befriender after her twin boys Rory and Daniel died. We soon became friends before working together at another charity. The support we were able to provide for each other and other bereaved families inspired us to create Footprint’s Baby Loss, to give parents that same support network as a charity run by bereaved parents, for bereaved parents.

“As a brand new charity, the donation from Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties will enable us to provide these essential services for more families across the UK.”

Alex Dowling, head of sales and marketing at Barratt David Wilson Southern Counties, added: “We are proud to support such an important charity that provides incredible services for parents and families facing bereavement. The work Sharon and Suzie have done so far is admirable and we hope the donation will benefit and grow the great community they are creating.”
 

James Du Pavey: Staffordshire-based independent estate agency James Du Pavey has pledged its support for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity throughout 2024.

The new partnership will see James Du Pavey help raise vital funds for the pre-hospital emergency service by offering house sellers to opt in for a charity ‘for sale’ board for a £50 donation on the sale completion. The estate agent brand will also match each donation pound for pound.

Every donation will go directly towards the funding of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s daily lifesaving missions, which rapidly reaches and treats people in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

James Du Pavey, managing director at James Du Pavey, said: “We’re really excited to be supporting Midlands Air Ambulance Charity this year. We chose this essential emergency service after one of our colleagues was airlifted to Royal Stoke Hospital after suffering from a traumatic injury last year, where because of the charity’s medical interventions, he is making a strong recovery.

“Our last charity for sale board campaign was hugely successful, in which we look forward to championing Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by helping to fund even more lifesaving missions in 2024.”

Jon Cottrell, senior partnerships executive at Midlands Air Ambulance Charity, added: “Our advanced clinical team attend twelve missions each day, responding to some of the region’s most critically ill and injured. Partnerships like James Du Pavey are crucial in ensuring our charity can continue to reach and treat those who need it most. Thank you to everyone at James Du Pavey for pledging your support and helping to save lives.”

James Du Pavey has also announced its support for the charity as headline sponsors for the Eccleshall Show which is taking place on Saturday 31 August 2024. 

Dawsons Property: Owen Davies, property sales consultant for Dawsons in Gorseinon, has run two half marathons and one marathon in a short space of time for a charity close to his heart.

His charity event started back in October of 2023 where he decided to raise money for a local Charity in Wales called the Forget-me-not chorus that has been a driving force for his family and my Grandad (Babs) who suffers from dementia.

Davies has been raising money running two half marathons (Cardiff & Singapore) and also a marathon on-top which I recently completed in Cyprus, Paphos, training before and after work.

He said: “My family found it hard when he started to get worse, but then he came along to the Forget-me-not chorus who offer music session - there aim is to bring joy and laughter to those living with or alongside dementia/Alzheimer’s. 

“Singing is powerful and to see the joy that it brings for everyone involved even for that one hour or song makes it worthwhile.”

Davies has raised more than £1,000 so far.

Donate and find out more: https://www.justgiving.com/page/owen-davies-1696364120956?fbclid=IwAR3XyvdU0ut-y2ynmPrKsA0vdxuXSMzqi5WqqKzdLblVgsAMOsnn-_xLoZQ

Agents Giving: Industry charity Agents Giving is once again encouraging agents to use their offices as collection points to collect chocolate eggs of all shapes, sizes, and themes for its Easter Egg Appeal.

These will then be donated to food banks who will distribute the eggs to people who are struggling to make ends meet in the current times.

So, if you can, pick up an extra easter egg or two to donate to your local food bank. 

The Guild of Property Professionals and Relocation Agent Network will be supporting the initiative by holding their own Easter collections around the country to help local children this Easter.

Find out more: https://agentsgiving.org/event/15th-june-2023-agents-giving-day-support-your-local-foodbank/