Agents Do Charity - and there isn't a backstop in sight...

Bored with Brexit? Baffled by the backstop? Troubled by the transition period? 

Well here’s a promise - there’s no mention of the top political story in this weekly round-up of agents’ fantastic fund-raising.

Please let us know what you’re up to, especially as Christmas nears, by emailing us on press@estateagenttoday.co.uk; we’ll give you a completely free-of-charge plusg for your fantastic efforts.

Now, what have we got this week?

Agents Giving Fundraising Champions Awards: The scores are in! Agents Giving has revealed its shortlist for the Agents Giving Fundraising Champions Awards of 2018, to be celebrated at the charity’s Christmas Ball.

“We have collated many fundraising stories, great and small.  We would like to thank all the agents and suppliers who entered the awards this year.  We have read about so many wonderful fundraising events and seen examples of truly heartwarming stories – well done to everyone.  This once again highlights that there are so many agents and suppliers in the industry doing some fantastic charity, fundraising and community work” says the charity.

So the shortlist is…

Best Team or Company Fundraising: X1 Lettings; College & County Lettings Agents; Spicerhaart; Paramount; Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings; and Do It for Dom Fundraising Team.

Best Individual Fundraising: Lynn Cannell, LCA Jobs; Chris Lamb, Yopa; Simon Whale; Paul Brampton, Sansome George Estate Agents; Nigel Adams, Big Black Hen.

Best Creative Fundraising: X1 Lettings; Embrace Mortgage Services; Homewise; Elvet Estates.

Best Industry Supplier Fundraising: Embrace Mortgage Services; LCA Jobs; Relocation Agent Network; TM Training; Reapit; JP Gardner & Associates.

Special Fundraising Award: X1 Lettings; Spicerhaart; Thomas Morris Sales & Lettings; Homewise; Bill Free Homes.

Best Agency CSR Award: Urban Patchwork; College & County Lettings Agents; Chestertons.

The winners will be announced at The Agents Giving Ball supported by The Tenant Shop on Friday December at The London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square. Agents Giving are taking bookings for tables or individual tickets at £1,600 per table of 10 or £175 per individual ticket.

To book your tickets or find out more about the event taking place on December 7, contact the Agents Giving team on 01372 370895, info@agentsgiving.org or see www.agentsgiving.org.

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Dog & Cat Home’s In The Dog House 2018 fundraiser: Earlier this month Braemore Sales & Lettings sent two of their own to join forces with 13 other prominent business leaders throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians to take part in the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home’s In The Dog House 2018 fundraiser event.  

Scott Webster, director of estate agency, and Callum MacGregor, director of new business, were locked up inside the dog kennels all day.

Armed with only a mobile phone and a laptop, and through the power of social media, emails and telephone, together they raised more than £2,800.

Scott and Callum’s goal was to raise £1,000 each to break free out of the kennels and Scott managed to almost double his target, with £1,863.81 raised, to achieve the top-earner status and bragging rights as the Top Dog of Edinburgh 2018. 

A congratulatory Woof from all of us at Estate Agent Today.

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Magic Moments: A group of intrepid cyclists have gone the extra mile to raise £31,000 for children with life-limiting illnesses.

The 31 pedallers took part in the gruelling 55-mile London to Brighton charity bike ride organised by Magic Moments, the children’s charity set up by the Spicerhaart estate agency group.

The charity takes children from hospices across the UK and their families to Disneyland Paris every year and the money raised from the bike ride alone will mean 20 families will be treated to a magical four days with Mickey Mouse and friends in November. Other fundraising activities held across the year will pay for another trip for a further 40 families.

Chairman of the Trustees for Magic Moments, Jonathan Martin, says: “I can’t say thank you enough to all those people who took part in the ride, along with all our sponsors, friends and families who have helped us to raise such a fantastic amount.”

Russell Jervis, managing director of haart estate agencies, who has himself taken part in four long-distance bike rides for Magic Moments, says: “The charity is extremely dear to our hearts as it has helped so many families over the years and this cycle ride makes a real difference to their lives.”

Commitment to the Community: Caridon Property, a property management and residential property specialist, has won the award for Commitment to the Community at the fourth annual Croydon Business Excellence Awards.

Based in Croydon, Caridon Property was founded in 2009 by CEO, Mario Carrozzo and goes the extra mile to support its tenants.

Caridon not only applies for funds for its tenants, but also helps tenants with their household necessities, providing welcome packs for tenants including tea, coffee, and biscuits. Caridon also works closely with local colleges and employers for further development opportunities for its tenants.

Mario Carrozzo, chief executive of The Caridon Group, says: “We’re thrilled to have been recognised by the judges and won this award. We have a strategic long-term and sustainable approach to the community in which we serve and we are committed to our model of specialising in social housing and helping those in real need. This award is a credit to our amazing team and their ongoing commitment and hard work.”

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Heel and Toe Children’s Charity: Works have begun to create a specialist therapy centre in Durham which will help increase support for the region’s young people with physical disabilities.

Heel and Toe Children’s Charity currently provides 12,000 hours of free therapy including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language, conductive education and special educational needs tutoring.

The charity launched the Footprints Appeal last year to raise money to convert a derelict building in nearby Perkinsville, into the only centre in the area to house a hydrotherapy pool. 

Planning permission for the state-of-the-art therapy centre was granted with the help of BH Planning and Design, which is a sister company of North East chartered surveyors and estate agents Bradley Hall.

Mark Ketley, director at BH Planning and Design, says: “Bradley Hall has a long-standing relationship with Heel and Toe, and as a sister company of the firm it was great to further build on that relationship.

“The charity carries out fantastic work and offers support which wouldn’t be accessible without them. We are proud to be part of a project which will undoubtedly be life changing for its users and their families.”

Bradley Hall director Peter Bartley acquired the building for the charity, and has been a trustee of Heel and Toe for many years.