Agents Do Charity - walking tall

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!

Michael Day: Industry figure Michael Day of Integra Property Services has passed the halfway point of his one million step challenge for Diabetes UK.
The challenge involves walking one million steps and requires an average of 10,870 steps every day for the 92 days involved and will result in close to 500 miles being covered during that time.

Michael, who has been a type one diabetic for more than 35 years and had a triple heart by-pass in 2021, was motivated to take part both as a personal challenge, a plan to get fitter and, crucially, to raise awareness and money to support Diabetes UK and the work the charity undertakes helping 5m people in the UK.

Michael said: “I am delighted to have reached half a million steps so far and would also like to thank all those that have supported my efforts both through their encouragement and financial donations to the cause. To date I have raised more than £1,250 and it would be great to add to that total in the coming weeks.

“I have also signed up for the ten-mile London Bridges walk on September 29 in aid of Diabetes UK although, on current performance, I will actually reach my million step target before that event.”

You can support Michael and his efforts at: https://step.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/michael1249

London Square: Residential developer London Square, has pledged its support for the important work and heritage of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners - as its first corporate patron in a new scheme just launched by the organisation. 

London Square’s contribution will help the Royal Hospital Chelsea in its work with its resident Chelsea Pensioners and veterans’ outreach work in the community.

The developer has recently purchased a site in Tite Street, next door to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 

London Square’s chief executive Adam Lawrence said: “The Royal Hospital Chelsea’s work with its Pensioners and veterans is inspirational. As neighbours, we are delighted to be the inaugural Corporate Patron and pledge our support for the charity over the coming years.”

Royal Hospital Chelsea’s chief executive, David Richmond said: “We really value our partnership with London Square, who will become our inaugural Corporate Patron. Partnerships like this help us to care for our Chelsea Pensioners and ensure we can keep our beautiful Grade I and II listed Sir Christopher Wren buildings fit for future generations of veterans.” 

The new partnership was celebrated at the Royal Hospital with a tea party for the Chelsea Pensioners in the State Apartments.  London Square and the Pensioners also enjoyed a light-hearted round of golf on the putting green in the grounds of the Royal Hospital.

Barratt Homes: Volunteers from Barratt Homes offered a helping hand to Electric Umbrella for its annual live music event in Watford.

The charity  creates live music experiences with learning disabled people and, in doing so, help change the way the world looks at their community and others like them.

The charity delivers live and interactive music experiences for learning disabled people across the region, alongside an education programme reaching over 40,000 students and 150 schools to date, led by incredible professional and learning-disabled musicians. Its live festival, Umbrellafest, saw more than 150 performers take to the stage in Watford Town Centre.

The event welcomed people from across the region, from family, friends and supporters of Electric Umbrella to shoppers passing through the town centre, with songs performed from all three of the charity’s albums and covers of crowd favourites for audiences to sing along to.

Electric Umbrella, based in Hertfordshire, has been chosen as Barratt North Thames’ charity of the year and will receive support from the housebuilders’ volunteering and fundraising efforts throughout 2024.

Volunteers from Barratt North Thames joined Electric Umbrella to help set up the community event.

Mel Boda, chief executive of Electric Umbrella, said: “It is fantastic to have the support of Barratt David Wilson North Thames this year and to have had volunteers on hand to help make Umbrellafest a success. The atmosphere is always incredible, and we are so proud of our performers for taking to the stage to show how important these live music experiences are.
“We are extremely grateful for any fundraising efforts and to have the long-term support from businesses such as Barratt Homes, as it really enables us to make a difference throughout the year.”

Electric Umbrella plays at gigs and festivals and runs a programme of online activities accessible across the UK and beyond, alongside regular music sessions, workshops, crew days and performances at locations across Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

Marc Woolfe, sales and marketing director for Barratt North Thames, added: “Supporting Electric Umbrella was a privilege and will be the first of many opportunities to build our relationship with this fantastic organisation. Charities like Electric Umbrella make all the difference to local people with learning disabilities, providing incredible opportunities to meet new people and embrace new experiences.”

Fine & Country Foundation: The Fine & Country Foundation is on the brink of reaching £1m in funds raised since its inception in 2014. This milestone, achieved through the dedication of Fine & Country members and the generosity of the public, highlights the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to combating poverty and homelessness.

In July, members of Fine & Country gathered at Leamington & County Golf Club for a day of sporting fun under the sun, all in support of The Fine & Country Foundation. The event, organised by Jon Handford, a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Director of Fine & Country in the Midlands, brought together colleagues and friends with a shared goal: to raise vital funds. 

Handford, who has consistently donated £100 from every property completion and undertaken numerous challenges to support the cause, emphasised the importance of giving back to the community commenting, “thank you to everyone who contributed to the £2,075 raised from the golf day, these funds have been donated to The Foundation and have will support our mission to reach £1 million raised. This money will be granted to Helping Hands, a local charity we are proud to support.”

Jon Cooke, trustee of the Fine & Country Foundation, expressed his gratitude for the support from the network and the public, adding: "The donations and grants that the Foundation provides are essential in supporting many organisations committed to making their communities a better place. Without the incredible effort and generosity of the Fine & Country network and the public, we would not be able to reach this milestone."
 

Building Relations: Property and built environment PR agency Building Relations completed the Victoria Line Challenge on Friday 2 August.

The event saw the team walk the entire 15-mile route of the London Underground’s Victoria Line, from Walthamstow Central to Brixton, with the public relations agency raising more than £1,500 (and counting) for its charity partner, Housing for Women. 

A team of 11 colleagues from Building Relations’ London and Surrey offices joined to complete the challenge, as well as representatives from Housing for Women. The day, organised by the agency’s dedicated environmental and social Impact team, saw staff embark on their journey from Walthamstow Central, stopping at each of the 16 stations on the Victoria Line, and finishing in the heart of South London in Brixton, where the charity is based. The event marks the agency’s biggest fundraising event for their charity partner to date.

Tallulah Lawson-Cresswell, head of fundraising at Housing for Women, said: “We would like to congratulate Building Relations PR in completing this challenge, reaffirming the company’s support for our work. 

“The challenge was not easy, especially in the 28-degree heat during a busy Friday in London, but a great team spirit got us through! It was very fitting that the challenge finished in Brixton, near our Housing for Women headquarters. To be able to cross the ‘finish line’ with the team at Building Relations was incredible, and we are truly grateful to the team for raising over £1,500 which will make a world of difference to the women we support in London.”

Kathryn Reucroft, managing director at Building Relations PR, added: “When Building Relations partnered with Housing for Women at the beginning of the year, we knew we wanted to support the charity in every way we could. 

“We’d like to say a big thank you to all who donated, and most importantly Housing for Women for joining us on the walk and supporting us throughout. It was a momentous challenge for such a worthy cause, and the team looks forward to continuing our support throughout this year.”