Mayoral hopefuls in LandAid Debate
The LandAid Debate that saw London’s mayoral candidates lock horns over housing and homelessness raised more than £50,000 for the property industry charity.
Labour candidate Sadiq Khan, Conservative candidate Zac Goldsmith, Caroline Pidgeon of the Lib Dems and Darren Johnson, who was standing in for Sian Berry of the Green Party, made impassioned bids to win over 300 property and construction professionals who had gathered at Westminster’s Central Hall on 23 February.
The debate is a property industry staple, which raises money for young people who are experiencing, or are at risk of, homelessness.
Lucian Cook, director of residential research at Savills, which sponsored the event, opened the debate by presenting stark facts about the cost of housing in London, including the alarming statistic that the cost of housing in the capital is 90% higher than the UK average.
Khan highlighted the inequality evident in London, a city with 400,000 millionaires but also where 100,000 people have to use food banks.
See the reaction to the candidates’ remarks on Twitter at #LandAidDebate and turn to page 30 for more analysis on the debate.
Glamour reigns at retailTRUST ball
Movers and shakers of the retail industry came together in glamorous fashion under the theme of London’s Calling at retailTRUST’s annual London ball.
They were treated to five-star entertainment and the usual trimmings at the star-studded extravaganza in the Grand Hall at Old Billingsgate, EC3.
Attendees raised money to support the 4.5m people working in retail and related industries who have fallen on hard times.
The evening was hosted by TV and radio presenter Dave Berry and entertainment came from X Factor finalists Alien Uncovered and comedian Kev Orkian, while DJ Benny Blanco drew the crowd to the dance floor.
Auction prizes included Adele concert tickets, a cricket coaching masterclass, a guitar signed by One Direction and a Caribbean holiday.
The January event raised more than £1m for retailTRUST.
Outdoor feats of daring net £28,000
A fundraising drive by design and engineering firm Arcadis Group involving running, climbing and skydiving has raised £28,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
More than 800 staff rallied behind technical director Katie Bromley-Challenor, who suggested the firm partner the charity after her mother died from Alzheimer’s.
Bromley-Challenor skydived from 13,000ft and later tackled the 5km Bear Grylls Survival Race in London. Daniel De La Hey from Arcadis’ Bristol office ran the 100-mile Thames Path Challenge, and colleague Liz Gray ran the Great Bristol Half Marathon. Philip Ramskill from the Warrington office ran the Leeds Half Marathon, and six engineers from Birmingham took on the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge.
Test your sporting savvy at Leeds event
Fans of the TV quiz A Question of Sport will be able to test their sports knowledge and support a good cause at Leeds United’s Elland Road football ground.
Barratt Homes’ Yorkshire West division is calling on the industry to support the black-tie event, A Question of Sport, hosted by charity KidsOut, on 3 March. Guests will take part in an interactive sports quiz and hear from former footballer Kevin Keegan.
Each table will be designated a football team and guests will be required to wear the scarves of a well-known UK or European club while they compete for the top prize, drink champagne and enjoy a four-course meal. All money raised will support KidsOut’s work to provide positive experiences for UK children living with acute disadvantages.
The event is also being held in other UK cities during the year. For dates and to purchase tickets, visit www.kidsout.org.uk
