Agents Do Charity - supporting local communities

It has been a busy week for food bank collections as the temperature drops.

Here are some of the ways property professionals have been supporting important causes this week.

Whatever the cause you are working for, we would love to help.

Just send details (and images and videos too, please) to press@estateagenttoday.co.uk and we will let the industry know.

Bradley Hall: Northern property firm Bradley Hall is supporting a collection for local food banks this winter, covering areas across the North from Alnwick to Tees Valley.

This winter, each of Bradley Hall’s residential offices will be acting as a drop off location for food banks they have partnered with across the region.

Each office is collecting food to support the local communities they are part of and will be gathering non-perishable items including tinned meat, fish and fruit, easy cook noodles and pasta pots, jars of coffee, long life milk, individually wrapped biscuits and cakes, and a selection of tinned meals.

Matt Hoy, managing director, residential, for Bradley Hall, said: “At Bradley Hall we are big believers in giving back, especially during the run up to Christmas, when this year more than ever, more families will need support.

“With the cost-of-living crisis becoming a very real issue for many, being able to contribute and act as a drop off locations for others to support local communities in need is an easy yet rewarding way for us as a firm to give back to our local communities.

“Bradley Hall’s branches are situated across high streets and prominent locations across the North and therefore are accessible for those wishing to give back and donate, making them prime locations for food bank drop off points.

“I am very proud of all our firm has achieved and continues to achieve when it comes to supporting the wider community and I am sure there will be a great number of generous donations from both staff and the firm itself to ensure that fewer people suffer this winter.”

David Wilson Homes:  The Crowthorne Foodbank recently received £1,500 from David Wilson Homes to support its winter initiatives including providing blankets, hot water bottles and gloves alongside boosting food levels when stocks run low.

It comes as data from the Trussell Trust reveals a 46% increase in demand across the UK for food parcels between August and September this year 

The donation will also support the purchase of a vehicle to help volunteers deliver food parcels to vulnerable individuals who cannot easily reach the foodbank.

It was made from the housebuilder’s Community Fund initiative, funded by the Barratt Foundation, which supports a local organisation each month with a donation, celebrating their efforts in the local area. 

Kimberley Benson, sales and marketing director at David Wilson Southern Counties, said: “Foodbanks are already seeing unprecedented levels of usage, including in Crowthorne, so this winter we wanted to help those directly affected in the community and spread a little bit of Christmas joy. We hope to alleviate some pressure on the foodbank, helping to boost supply levels and prepare for the next few months of demand.” 

Vicky Lawford, spokesperson for Crowthorne Foodbank, added: “We are one of 1,400 Trussell Trust foodbanks in the UK, and expect reliance on our services to only increase throughout the winter.

“This donation will make a genuine difference to many residents in south-east Berkshire, enabling us to fill the gaps in our supply levels and provide extra items such as gloves and hot water bottles to keep people warm this winter. We thank David Wilson Southern Counties for its support and encourage anyone who can give any spare food this winter to reach out to us for support.”
 
To find out more about the Crowthorne Foodbank, visit https://crowthorne.foodbank.org.uk/.
 

The Wickers Charity: More than 200 property professionals have helped raise more than £15,000 for East London based The Wickers Charity’s It’s a Knock Out event.

The evening helps raise money for the Wickers’ cause – reducing gang related crime and supporting the East London youth. 

London property developer Aitch Group sponsored the event at East Ham Rugby Club, which saw a line-up of team-based sporting competitions including as tug of war, bungee races, three legged races and an inflatable assault course.

While team building was at the core of the day, a winner was announced and this year, for the second year in a row, Stirling Ackroyd took the trophy. 

Other companies present included Aitch Group, JLL, Savills, Kingsbury Stone, KALMARS and Strettons,

The raised funds, after costs, were in excess of £15,000 – bringing the total raised this year by the property industry to circa. £160,0000

The night, with guest host SkySports Boxing Presenter Johnny Nelson, also saw six hard fought boxing matches between notable property industry names such as Henry Smith, chief executive of Aitch Group and founder of The Wickers Charity, James Feltham senior BTR lettings negotiator at CBRE and director of new homes at Kingsbury Stone Graeme Grossman, alongside boxing names such as Emmanuel Blessed and Justin Benn. 

Smith said: “The It’s A Knock Out afternoon is an incredibly fun way for the property industry to unite, whilst still competing, to raise money for such a worthwhile cause. This event helps us to raise much needed funds and helps companies with their team building.
 
“Having lost my brother-in-law to knife crime, I have set out to try and positively impact the lives of the children in East London with the hope of reducing knife crime in the borough and the capital. I am delighted that my peers understand the need for The Wickers’ Charity is having a very positive impact within the East London community. We had in excess of 240 people participating and showing their support for a cause that we are so passionate about.”