The futher easing of lockdown last weekend with the reopening of pubs also signalled the end of a hairy fundraising challenge for property professionals David Softley from Laing O’Rourke, Neil Higson from Wildbrook, and Thomas Pearson from JMW.
At the start of lockdown, the trio decided they would not shave, trim or cut their hair or beard until the pubs in England officially reopen, to raise money for NHS workers.
Their ‘itchy efforts’ have raised over £1,000 for NHS Charities Together, a federation of over 250 charitable organisations that support the NHS, its staff, volunteers and patients.
To donate, go to www.justgiving.com/team/GrowYourSupportForNHS
The Christmas show will go on – digitally
The staging of the annual star-studded carol service, The Story of Christmas, will be screened virtually this year.
Many of the associated celebrities, including Dame Judi Dench, Ian Hislop, Aled Jones, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman and Tim Henman will perform, supported by the event’s sponsors and donors.
The event’s fundraising campaign has not changed, with sponsored pages in the event souvenir brochure and auctions sponsored by Allsop.
For more information, details of the beneficiary charitable projects and how you can lend your support, go to
www.socappeal.com
Uniting communities to influence planning
Planning Aid for London has teamed up with Town and Country Planning Association to provide a programme of activities to help underrepresented people and communities influence planning across London.
The three-year project, funded by Trust for London, will offer free advice and training to disempowered communities, helping them to engage in groups and networks to effect decisions in their local area.
To get involved, contact Koen Rutten at info@planningaidforlondon.org.uk. Learn more at
www.planningaidforlondon.org.uk
Duathlon efforts from JLL
JLL’s Property Weekend Challenge, which took place from Friday 26 June until Sunday 28 June, has raised over £17,500 in donations for homeless charities Crisis and LandAid.
The virtual challenge, organised by JLL, focused on running and cycling – the two disciplines of a sprint duathlon.
Nearly 800 people from across the real estate industry and related sectors took part over the three days, with many participants teaming up with family members, colleagues and friends to complete their chosen distance(s), with some even competing in fancy dress.
The fundraising total will be split between Crisis and LandAid. Both charities have had to adapt their services during the past few months to keep up with the changing demands of the pandemic.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive at Crisis, said: “Support for people experiencing homelessness is needed like never before. We are helping people leaving temporary forms of accommodation find somewhere secure and permanent to live. And we are working to prevent people becoming homeless because of the pandemic.”
Place your bets now to support Foundation 500
Property Race Day’s Foundation 500 has reached its first significant milestone of more than £50,000, less than a month after it was launched.
Foundation 500 was set up to replace the charitable funds normally raised at its annual Ascot event, which was cancelled due to Covid-19.
The initiative is seeking 500 individual contributions of £500 to ensure that PRD 2020 charities can keep up vital work and long-term projects.
The money raised will be distributed between five selected children’s charities, LandAid, WellChild, Trusts for African Schools, Dusty Yak and Chernobyl Children in Need. An additional contribution will be made to the NHS, via the Covid-19 Relief Fund.
David Erwin, chairman of PRD, said: “We are delighted with the initial responses from both the real estate and racing communities, and the generosity of those who have contributed has taken us to our first significant milestone in quick time.
“We still have a long way to go to hit our ultimate target of raising £250,000 which is equivalent to our average annual fundraise, but we very much have that figure in our mind. We will now be pushing on to widen the campaign.”
To make a donation or pledge, contact Tessa Champion from JSC Comms at tessa@jsccomms.co.uk or by phone on 07805810146.
To send feedback, e-mail sharon.harnett@egi.co.uk or tweet @estatesgazette
