Show of force
The property industry rallied around soldiers returned from war at the Just Rifles annual dinner and dance, supported by Estates Gazette, last month.
Guests from Savills, CBRE, Knight Frank and Colliers International were among the 700 revellers who packed the Brewery in Chiswell Street, EC1. They mingled with wounded soldiers soaking up the festivities, poignantly in the week that the last of the British forces were pulled out of Afghanistan.
Auctions, a game of heads and tails, a raffle and opportunities to pledge cash helped raise £237,000 to support the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
It was the fourth annual dinner for Just Rifles. The charity was founded by solicitor Bryan Fugler, who owns English Rose Estates, and his wife Carol in memory of family friend Lance Corporal Thomas Keogh, who was killed in action in Sangin, Afghanistan. Find out more at www.justrifles.co.uk
The long run
Some people take baby steps, others just run 100 miles having not even tackled half the distance before.
The latter applies to Andrew Hodgkinson, who blitzed the South Downs Way on foot in just three days.
The associate director of Lambert Smith Hampton’s Fareham office threw himself into the gruelling run in September to raise money for local charities Naomi House and Jacksplace, which both look after children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.
Hodgkinson ran and walked just over 33 miles a day, starting in Winchester and finishing in Eastbourne, leaving him with big blisters, but a big grin to match.
“I have a few blisters, aching limbs and joints, but feel a huge sense of achievement in getting to the end after what felt like three very long days. I am also proud to have raised more than £1,200 for this worthwhile charity – I had set myself a target of £500 but have been overwhelmed by people’s generosity.”
Donate at www.justgiving.com/andrewnhodgkinson
Retail agents give it their best shot
Retail and development agents bonded over a day of spent cartridges and sore shoulders at Newmarket’s Six Mile Bottom clay-shooting ground in September.
After firing up the synapses in a closely contested pub quiz the previous night in Cambridge (won by CBRE’s Vicky Reader), the 25 guests did battle outdoors as guests of Mulberry Developments.
Steve Perritt of Cheetham & Mortimer won the clay shoot ahead of runners up Will Bolton of Altitude and Lloyd Davis of Gerald Eve.
Savills surveyors help Dreams Come True
Some 200 Savills young surveyors and their clients attended a charity networking knees-up on 30 October.
The event was an opportunity for Savills’ recruits and their guests to meet in a lively atmosphere and raise money for the Savills graduate charity Dreams Come True.
Savills’ young surveyors have now raised £25,000 for the charity, which grants wishes to terminally ill children.
Calendar of events
MAPIC 2014
When: 19-21 November
Where: Palais des Festivals, Cannes
What: The coming together of the international retail community for networking and learning. Includes a dedicated zone showcasing innovative concepts in retail.
www.mapic.com
Cambridge Question Time
When: 4 December, 8am
Where: Clare College, Cambridge
What: Sven Topel of CB1 developer Brookgate joins the debate in Cambridge, where the knowledge economy is driving a real estate boom. Vincenzo Maggio from law firm Mills & Reeve and Savills’ Rob Sadler are also on the panel.
www.estatesgazette.com/questiontime
Denman Lecture by Dame Fiona Reynolds
When: 27 November, 6pm
Where: Riley Auditorium, Clare College, Cambridge
What: The Cambridge University Land Society presents “The case for beauty”. Reynolds will explore to what extent town and rural planning, conservation and agricultural policy has taken beauty into account as well as provide thoughts for the future. www.landecon.cam.ac.uk/events/denman-lecture
EG Conferences: The Research Summit
When: 10 February
Where: Waldorf Hilton hotel, WC2
What: Learn how to effectively deliver research analysis and use infographics in an industry where investors, increasingly looking at secondary, regional and emerging sectors, need to make informed decisions.
www.estatesgazette.com/eg-conferences
