Agents Do Charity - they really are a force for good...

It’s been a tough week for the reputation of some estate agents but across the country the industry continues to do good work for great causes - and we salute you!

If you would like some publicity for your efforts, please get in touch on press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we would be delighted to honour your activities. 

Here are this weeks’ heroes...

Blenheim Triathlon local charities: Over 180 managers and staff from the 120-plus offices that comprise the Arun Estates network have taken part in the annual Blenheim Triathlon, raising thousands of pounds for local charities.

Held in the grounds of Blenheim Palace at Woodstock in Oxfordshire, the event involves a 750 metre swim through open water followed by a 20 kilometre bike ride and a six kilometre run. It attracted thousands of serious athletes and amongst the relatively few corporate participants, Arun has regularly been the largest team. 

As well as 16 individual entrants, it fielded a total of 55 relay teams representing each of its four regional brands – Ward & Partners in Kent, Cubitt & West in Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, Douglas Allen in London and Essex, and Pittis on the Isle of Wight – as well as several teams drawn from administrative and support departments.

This was the third year that Arun has been involved in the Triathlon. One third of the money raised will go to Action Medical Research, with the remaining two thirds going to local charities nominated by each group company.

Marie Curie Nurses: The good people from Accord Mortgages have been helping to brew up a new Guinness World Records title in aid of Marie Curie. A total of 667 Yorkshire Building Society Group colleagues (of which Accord Mortgages is part) have taken part in a huge cream tea party in multiple venues.

The fundraising challenge was held in Bradford, Leeds, Peterborough and Cheltenham to raise money for the Marie Curie Hour of Need campaign, which will enable nurses to provide vital support for people living with a terminal illness and their families. The attempt was started in Leeds by Frances Quinn, winner of the Great British Bake Off.

Jill Evans, managing director of Accord Mortgages, says: “We are extremely proud to have set a new Guinness World Records title for such an amazing cause. We have raised £300,000 in our first year of the campaign through our colleagues and customers making a massive contribution, and I am sure they will continue to help us reach our half a million pound fundraising target by the end of 2016.”

If you would like to make a donation to the campaign please visit www.justgiving.com/hourofneed 

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Armed Forces Veterans: Some 20 staff from Persimmon Homes’ east Wales division have raised over £1,000 by climbing three of the highest mountains in Wales. 

They raced up Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan in just 15 hours, leaving from Persimmon's headquarters in Llantrisant at 10pm on a Friday night and starting to climb Snowdon in the dark at 3.15am. It was then onto Cadair Idris before finishing with Pen y Fan at around 6.30pm.

Marking co-ordinator Sarah Foulkes said there were a few sore legs in the office on the following Monday morning. Amongst the group were Persimmon Homes East Wales managing director Martin Smith (Pontypridd), Andy Baker Edwards (Cardiff Bay), Claire Groom, Owen Gent, Daryl Jones (Tonyrefail), Sam Cowburn (Usk), Tom Graham (Brynna), Aileen Grant (Bridgend) and Ellisha Hughes (Aberdare).

The team has raised about £1,500 for Alabaré, which supports Armed Forces veterans by providing accommodation, signposting them to health services, helping them tofind new employment and dealing with any drug or alcohol issues.