Agents Do Charity - a marathon of causes

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 something charitable that we should bring to the attention of the industry, please email press@estateagenttoday.co.uk - and we’ll do the rest!

Angels Media: Angels Media’s own Lee Dahill is running a half marathon on 20  October for the Make a Wish Foundation to try and grant wishes for families with seriously ill children.

He has raised £270 so far with a goal of £500.

Lee said: “It's a charity that really gives people hope in a desperate time, and since having children, it's made what they do hit home even more; I will always support the work they do for people.”

Find out more and donate: https://www.givengain.com/project/lee-raising-funds-for-make-a-wish-foundation-uk-80260
 
Claire Hughes: Women in Estate Agency co-founder and eXp UK agent Claire Hughes is running a half marathon to help find raise money for charity Brain Tumour Research and help find a cure for the disease.

It comes after she was left with lifelong injuries because of a brain tumour.

Hughes of Wanstead is running The Big Half with her 25-year-old daughter Morgan, on Sunday 1 September.

The 61-year-old lives with poor balance, deafness in one ear, facial palsy and an involuntary facial muscle movement condition called synkinesis after she was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma in 2014.

She said: “When I’m running, it feels freeing, and I don’t notice my lack of balance; I think it is something to do with the momentum. Although I’m a runner and have run a few marathons, I’ve not taken on this type of distance since before my diagnosis.”

The mum-of-three endured Gamma Knife radiotherapy and, four years ago, had surgery which removed 95% of her tumour. She is now monitored with regular scans.

Clare said: “Treatment was short and intense. After Gamma Knife, I had a sudden and severe headache. When I told the attending nurse, she described the treatment as heating up the brain.

“My children grew up watching everything I went through. One thing I will never do is let my brain tumour diagnosis dictate my life. Running, family and my career has helped me stay focused and I want to be part of the solution and raise awareness of this disease.”
As a result of her brain tumour journey, Clare set up her own estate agency partnered with eXp UK and co-founded Women in Estate Agency.

She said: “I speak to hundreds of people who have faced their own challenges but when they hear my story and see the visual effects of a brain tumour, they are often surprised that I am standing to tell the tale. But I greet them with the question, what is the alternative? Some have even described my facial palsy as a superpower as it makes me stand out and memorable in a competitive industry.”

Clare is campaigning with Brain Tumour Research and has raised £690 through her induction back into the running world.

She added: “I think there’s a misconception that all brain tumours can be treated the same. However, brain tumours are complex, there are many types and subtypes which is why there needs to be investment into research so we can fully understand them all.

“Within the last two years, my young cousin has been diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour, taking on the London Marathon in a time of four hours. I felt the least I could do was sign up to run a half.”

One in three people knows someone affected by a brain tumour Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours since records began in 2002.

Charlie Allsebrook, community development manager at Brain Tumour Research, said: “We’re grateful to Clare for sharing her story with us so generously. It’s a reminder that brain tumours are indiscriminate; they can affect anyone at any age. If we are to find kinder treatments we must talk about the disease and raise vital funds to research the disease. It’s with the support of people such as Clare and her daughter Morgan that will help us in achieving this and we wish them both the best of luck for the race.”

Find out more and donate:  www.justgiving.com/page/clare-hughes-1720875330890

Agents Giving: The Agents Giving and The Guild of Property Professionals Charity Golf and Spa Day is fast approaching on Wednesday 4 September 2024.

It is being held at the prestigious Belfry Golf Resort in Warwickshire, and will support the Bone Cancer Research Trust and the Agents Giving Grant Fund, aiding in the vital fundraising efforts of both organisations.

The ESTAS was recently announced as headline sponsor for the highly anticipated Golf and Spa Day, taking place after the iconic Rolex British Masters. Joining the list of supporters is Gilson Gray and Just Move In as Gold Sponsors, while GOTO Group have proudly pledged to support the sponsorship of the golf buggies – a welcome relief for golfers on the day.

Other hole sponsors include TM Group, O’Riordan Bond, Rightmove, LettsPay, OnTheMarket and Coadjute. Rayner Personnel has sponsored the nearest to the pin competition and Redbrick Solutions has sponsored the drinks buggy. Golf Genius software will be in use during the competition, with participants encouraged to download an app on registration, which will track results and ultimately crown a champion.

Golfers will by now be looking forward to having the opportunity to play on the iconic Brabazon Course in tournament conditions. The event, which has been organised by Yvonne and Vikki at Agents Giving, Iain McKenzie, chief executive of The Guild of Property Professionals, Ian Crampton from Ferndown Estates, and Craig Campbell from Guild Conveyancing, will bring industry professionals together for a day of networking, fun, and philanthropy. The Sanjay Cup, named in honour of Sanjay Gandhi, a respected Guild Member, will be one of the highlights of the day.

Taking place just three days after the British Masters, participants will get the chance to walk in the footsteps of golfing legends with the grandstands still in place, adding to the unique experience. Following a shotgun start at 1145am, the day will culminate in a BBQ and drinks on the veranda of the famous 10th Hole with DJ Dave Seed of Qube Residential, bringing together both golfers and spa-goers for an evening of camaraderie and celebration.

Following this, a charity auction with some impressive donations will be held.

McKenzie said:   "We are very grateful to have the amazing support of so many industry heavyweights on the day. "This event is more than just a golf competition; it's about coming together as property professionals to support a cause that is close to our hearts. We are also honoured to have Phil Spencer, a media personality, TV presenter, and Agents Giving Patron, joining us on the day for a round of golf and to present the winners with the Sanjay Cup."

There are still limited spaces available for the spa package, which includes a full day in the spa with the famous fire and ice 60-minute treatment and a two-course lunch in the ‘Rocca’ restaurant, get in touch to secure your space. Agents Giving and The Guild of Property 

Professionals are still open to receiving additional sponsors, supporters and auction lot and raffle prizes. For more information or to offer your support contact Yvonne on info@agentsgiving.org.