Big Bird boosts funds
Who needs Sesame Street? Big Bird has flown the nest to Townends instead.
The iconic avian landed at the agent’s Surrey HQ for a unique charity drive to raise money for Shooting Star Chase on 12 November. Okay, so it was actually the lettings managing director Caroline Kavanagh displaying a dramatic wardrobe change. But kudos to her for perching herself at her desk all day in the get-up – occasionally shaking her tail feather – after her colleagues raised £500 for her to do so. Kavanagh said: “The costume was very well received by staff, although it was uncomfortable and roasting hot in there.”
The money will go towards caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
Plenty to lose in the LandAid Slimathon
Too early for New Year resolutions? Never. With the season of indulgence already upon us, now is the perfect time to register for the first LandAid Slimathon.
Run by Angermann Goddard & Loyd, the competition starts at 9am on 6 January with a weigh-in at Hush restaurant in Lancashire Court, W1. It closes with a weigh out at Hush on 17 February. The team with the greatest percentage of weight loss will enjoy lunch at the restaurant.
Teams can be made up of five to eight people, and multiple entries are allowed. Entry costs £50 per person, with penalties for no losses or weight gain week-on-week. All proceeds go to LandAid.
“For the past six years we have run a highly competitive Slimathon for individuals within the firm,” said AGL managing director Mike Biddle. “This New Year we have decided to extend it to the property industry as a whole for the benefit of LandAid. Lose weight and win a free lunch. What could be better?”
EG will be revealing the teams’ progress along the way. Teams are also encouraged to raise sponsorship for LandAid. To sign up, e-mail slimathon.landaid@agl-london.co.uk
Shattering the glass ceiling
An industry gathering saw some insight into what it is to be a female executive in a man’s world when the Women in
Property Networking group teamed up with facilities management provider Servest Group and recruitment firm Investigo Property for a champagne fundraiser.
Jane Hamilton, owner of Hamilton Corporate Real Estate Advisory, spoke about her former role as European head of corporate real estate at HSBC.
Image consultant Jodi Goldman and Emma Parker, of London tour provider Coutours, also spoke. Sponsored by Serco, the event at the RICS in Parliament Square, SW1, raised £400 for Isabel Hospice in Hertfordshire.
Cooking up a storm for charity
Stuck for Christmas present ideas for the loved ones? How about a cook book with recipes from top chefs – and some very unlikely ones, too. Bidwells is marking its 175th year in business with the charity tome, Make Me, Eat Me!
It features 175 recipes from the likes of musician Ed Sheeran (chicken wraps), Raymond Blanc (hot smoked salmon) and Bidwells senior partner Patrick McMahon (chicken à la caprice).
If you’re a slimathon contender (see left) we suggest you stick to the light meals. The book costs £10 and all the money raised will be distributed among East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, Pepper Foundation, ROSY Foundation, Leo’s Appeal at Milton Keynes Hospital and Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.
You can buy the book online or in Bidwells offices.
Calendar of events
December
100 Property Club Annual Christmas Dinner
When: 9 December
Where: Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane, W1
What: This is the calendar event for the 43-year-old social and networking group the 100 Property Club, which attracts everyone from agents, developers, consultants, lawyers and contractors from London, plus the south and west of the capital, and raises money for charity. Find out more at www.100propertyclub.com
January
Birmingham Question Time
When: 15 January
Where: Birmingham Repertory Theatre
What: The Estates Gazette Question Time roadshow kicks off the new year in Birmingham, where
recent plans to invest £4bn in the city’s transport infrastructure, including a ‘super tunnel’, promises to be high up on the agenda. Register now at
www.estatesgazette.com/questiontime
BCO Annual Dinner
When: 20 January
Where: Grosvenor House, Park Lane, W1
What: The key event for networking and entertainment for members of the BCO. Attendees will hear from guest speaker Baroness Karren Brady, the ‘First Lady of football’ and Alan Sugar’s sidekick in TV show The Apprentice.
For more information on these events, visit the Estates Gazette events website.
