Agents Do Charity - the longest list of heroes yet......

Today we’re publishing what we think is our longest-ever list of charitable activities being conducted by agents and their supporters - testimony to the unsung work done by our industry. Well done everyone!

Please let us know your activities by dropping an email to press@estateagenttoday.co.uk - we’ll gladly doff our cap to you, and let people know how they can donate more.

On with today’s roll-call of honour...

Grenfell Tower Tragedy Appeal: LandAid has launched an urgent two-week appeal to businesses and business leaders within the property industry to help raise funds for those affected by the fire in west London.

It is asking the property industry to help those affected by the fire by contributing funds for those most in need. It is in close liaison with the British Red Cross and will coordinate funds to ensure they go directly to victims and their families.

Many individuals have already responded to the urgent appeals made across the media, LandAid is asking businesses to step forward. Supported by the BPF, Revo, CPA, WPA and the HBF, the appeal hopes to help to provide long term support to those affected.

Knight Frank, Landsec, Grosvenor, SEGRO and British Land have all made significant contributions.

“The tragedy left hundreds of people with nowhere to go, their lives in utter ruins. As an industry, we are in a unique position to help. The immediate priority is money. Longer term, we need to work with key stakeholders to see how we can support the sort of dramatic changes needed to avoid this sort of tragedy ever happening again” says LandAid chief executive Paul Morrish.

The money raised will go directly to families affected by the fire and its aftermath to help re-build both their lives and their community. If you would like to pledge money to this appeal please contact Paul Morrish on 0787 900 6776 or email paul.morrish@landaid.org.

Martin House Children’s Hospice: Linley & Simpson marked its 20th anniversary by setting staff the gruelling non-stop challenge of hiking 20 miles across 20 Lake District peaks in support of its chosen charity of the year, Martin House.

Just over 13 hours after they set off, and having burned over 100,000 calories and climbed 8,000 flights of stairs between them, the team of 11 conquered the stamina-sapping challenge - taking a route never attempted before.

The independent sales and letting agency has helped more than 100,000 people move home since it first opened its doors back in 1997.

Now its staff are celebrating a very different logistical feat, by winning the race against darkness to complete an extended version of the Patterdale Horseshoe route in double-quick time. Most hikers opt to complete it in two days.

To put their feat into perspective, this represents an ascent totalling 2,434 metres or 8,032 feet - the equivalent of almost two Ben Nevis mountain climbs.

Led by founders Will Linley and Nick Simpson, the team included Danny Tasker, Martin Elliott, Greg Smallwood, Katie Radcliffe, Eileen Cahill, Mark Sheridan, Neil McGroarty, Paul Bridgeman and Carl Willock – with Mark Christopher and Emily Wilkinson acting as support staff on the ground.

Director Will Linley said: “We’ve set ourselves some tough challenges before – ranging from Tough Mudder army assault course to the Brownlee brothers’ triathlon.

“But this was far tougher than we had anticipated. Many even went as far as to say they’d rather run a marathon that do it again, which gives you an idea of how physically testing it was for us.”

Ahead of a different kind of finishing line, there is still time to donate before the presentation of the year’s proceeds by visiting the agency’s dedicated JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/LinleyandSimpsonMartinHouse

Helping Harry Trust: Ryan Green, James Pacey and Kate Preece from Harrison Murray Estate Agency on George Row in Northampton participated in the recent 2017 Color Run in Wembley Park.

They ran 5k, weaving through a series of 'Color Zones', to raise over £400 for two-year-old local youngster Harry Charlesworth.

Harry, from Newnham, suffers from cerebral palsy and a number of other complex conditions after experiencing strokes during birth meaning he has significant ongoing healthcare needs.

Just a couple of months ago Harrison Murray also donated £500 sponsorship for a Helping Harry Trust curry night - an event that raised a total of over £2,000.

Estate agency manager Alan Young said: "Harry's story is one that has touched all of our hearts and we pledged our ongoing support to him several months ago when we sponsored the curry night.

"Three of the team then came up with the idea of taking part in the Color Run and we are all extremely proud of them for completing the event and, even more importantly, raising such a great amount for The Helping Harry Trust."

Shelter: Attendees of the 2017 Legal & General Mortgage Club Awards have raised £4,083 for the charity Shelter, over £1,000 more than the amount raised the previous year.

Industry professionals, including advisers and lenders, came together this month for Legal & General’s annual event, raising the funds through a raffle for the charity for housing and the homeless.

The annual ceremony, which was held at The Guildhall in the City of London, recognises excellence in the mortgage industry over the past 12 months.

Jeremy Duncombe, Director, Legal & General Mortgage Club, said: “This year’s Mortgage Club Awards were a huge success and we are delighted that during the event attendees managed to raise over £4000 for our charity partner, Shelter. It’s important to remember that on every occasion an adviser helps someone to buy a property, sadly elsewhere another is living in fear of eviction, repossession or without a permanent home. This is precisely where Shelter plays such a positive role, helping to support millions of individuals across the UK with advice and support on homelessness and housing. We are grateful for all the support attendees could provide at last week’s Awards.”

For any advisers who want to support this cause further, they can sign up to Legal & General’s ‘Brokering Change’ partnership with Shelter, which allows brokers to make a small donation from their procuration fees to help change someone’s life for the better.

https://www.legalandgeneral.com/mortgageclub/why-choose-us/brokering-change/

Make-a-Wish UK: The Happy Tenant Company has announced a partnership agreement with Uber. The promotion offers any new users a free ride up to the value of £10, at the same time as raising money for the charity, Make-a-Wish UK.

Happy Tenant Company does not take commissions on any of the discounts it secures, which is why £5 for every Uber ride using the code ‘HAPPYTENANT’ will be donated by the Happy Tenant Company to the charity.

“Make a Wish UK is a charity close to our hearts and The Happy Tenant Company has supported them since the company was formed in 2012” says Adam Joseph, chief executive.

Fine & Country Foundation: Now in its ninth consecutive year, Fine & Country is hosting the Fine & Country Gold Cup 2017 at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire on Sunday July 9.

Attendees can enjoy watching this exciting game whilst sampling fine food from the food court or a picnic on the lawns. For an elegant dining experience, guests have the option of booking a champagne afternoon tea or they can treat themselves to strawberries and cream with a glass or two of champagne.

For families, there will be a dedicated children’s area with a selection of child-friendly attractions. Adults can sip champagne or Pimm’s whilst watching their children enjoy the activities, which will include face painting, pony rides, and funfair attractions.

The event is free but with a donation of £10 per car. All proceeds are being donated to the Fine & Country Foundation, which is dedicated to fighting the causes of homelessness.

Please visit https://www.fineandcountry.com/uk/polo for further event details and information on how to reserve your tickets.

Andrews Charitable Trust/Christian Book Promotion Trust: Andrews Property Group, which is owned by two charitable trusts, has announced its annual dividend payment to its shareholders.

Between them, Andrews Charitable Trust (ACT) and the Christian Book Promotion Trust will share a payment of almost £500,000.

Andrews Property Group is unique within the property sector for its ownership structure – something which reflects the philanthropic work of its founder, Cecil Jackson Cole who was instrumental in the founding of a number of leading charities including Oxfam.

The charitable trusts which are the sole shareholders of Andrews Property Group have supported projects through these dividend payments which in the last five years alone have totalled more than £2.7m.

In addition to the recently launched social housing project which will support young people leaving the care sector, Andrews Charitable Trust will also support early-stage initiatives that address social needs in innovative ways and provide grants to individuals and organisations.

In the last year, projects as diverse as The Together Group and Dementia Adventure have benefitted from financial support from ACT.