Valad Aussies jump at chance to wear the rose
Valad Europe’s executive chairman Martyn McCarthy and managing director David Kirkby leapt out of a plane earlier this month to raise money for CLIC Sargent, a charity for children and young people with cancer.
What’s more, having smashed their £5,000 target, the proud Aussies had to jump wearing England rugby shirts.
Jumping as part of the City Flyers team, organised by Shela Maine, managing director and head of commercial real estate loan servicing at Lloyds, they undertook the leap with the British Army’s parachute display team, the Red Devils.
They have raised £27,600 so far. If you would like to donate, go to www.justgiving.com/City-Flyers
Channel mission accomplished
A team of agents have beaten their landlord rivals in a “horrid” relay swim across the English Channel, capping 12 months of open-water challenges to claim overall victory.
A rare clear weather window meant the gents in the Sea BREEAM charity challenge, supported by Estates Gazette, had to scramble to Dover 10 days earlier than expected to make their final splash to France on 18 September.
They set off at 10pm to begin the first half of their swim in darkness, with each of the 10 competitors enduring worsening weather and jellyfish stings to make it to Cap Gris Nez.
Though keen to share the plaudits for the adventure, the agents, or “LesSeas”, who bested their rivals “LessOars” by an hour, completing the crossing in 14 hours and 32 minutes, have nevertheless revelled in their victory.
“Some things one can’t really prepare for,” said team captain Guy Bowring of Tuckerman. “Swimming in the sea in the pitch black is one; swimming mid-Channel with waves submerging you is another. And what took us most by surprise was the effect of the motion of the boat – some lads were vomiting almost the entire time.”
The swimmers, supported by Nabarro, Addleshaw Goddard, Bluu, BLP, BRE and Siren, said they had been buoyed all the way by overwhelming support from the agency community. The teams have raised more than £60,000 for the charities Macmillan, Royal Marsden, Royal National Lifeboat Institution, ReThink and the Peter Westropp Memorial Trust.
Learn more about the challenge and donate at www.seabreeams.com
Innes beats its target
Innes England has surpassed its fundraising target of £10,000 for Cancer Research UK.
A variety of fundraising activities over the past eight months, including a 75-mile boat ride, a squash tournament, mud runs, Race for Life events and dress-down days, have seen the agent’s tally tip over £12,000.
The firm’s three offices, in Derby, Nottingham and Leicester, have all been involved.
Dartford communities hit pay dirt with Ellandi
Shopping centre investor Ellandi has successfully piloted an £8,000 grant scheme via a social networking platform.
A wheelchair rugby development scheme, a group that designs allotments for disabled people, and a beekeeping organisation were among those to benefit.
The scheme, designed to engage local stakeholders around the Priory shopping centre in Dartford, Kent, which Ellandi purchased with Tristan Capital in April, gave hopefuls the chance to receive £2,000 via online community platform Project Dirt.
