Giddy-up for Ascot property people
On 10 July 800 people will descend on Ascot Racecourse for one of the biggest events in the property calendar.
The clink of glasses, rumble of horses’ hooves and murmur of deals being made will mark the legendary Property Race Day, which has raised £1.9m for charity.
The event, supported by Estates Gazette, is in its ninth year and for the second time presents the chance for 12 property people to ride a horse in the charity race.
To race the Ascot turf you will need to find an appropriate horse (organisers can help, or if you have a horse you can loan, even better), you must weigh less than 12 stone/76kg, you will need to complete an assessment course and you must raise at least £5,000 for charity.
This is a thrilling opportunity to abandon your desk for the day and make like Frankie Dettori, including the full parade ring treatment.
Last year’s race day raised £200,000 for LandAid, Wellchild, Hope & Homes for Children, Project Hope and the RNLI.
To find out more go to www.thepropertyraceday.co.uk. Anyone interested in being a jockey in the charity race should e-mail graham.triefus@gmail.com.
The biggest loser so far? Weight and See
Two surveyors have been lost in the LandAid Slimathon. That’s not participants who have quit – it’s the collective weight lost by property’s most determined dieters since the beginning of the year.
Nearly 3,900kg of prime property people weighed in, and around 160kg has been shed by the teams since 5 January.
The Cushmans team, Weight and See, led by David Erwin, has led since day one. After a heroic effort, GVA has moved into third place, overtaking JLL (Just Less Lard). AGL (Always Getting Lighter) remains second. After a colossal effort, the Frogmore Fatties have moved up one place and are closing the gap on their lightweight rivals as the finish line looms.
The Slimathon closes with a weigh out at Hush Restaurant in Mayfair on 17 February. The team with the greatest percentage weight loss will enjoy lunch at the restaurant, courtesy of Hush.
The only way is up
Land Securities is urging the industry to sign up and take the stairs to the top of not one, not two, but three London towers in a new challenge.
The propco is teaming up with its official charity Mencap for Step Up 3, 2, 1, a stair-running challenge to the top of Portland House, SW1, Land Securities’ head office at 5 Strand, WC2, and then the Walkie Talkie, at 20 Fenchurch Street, EC3, running a total of three miles between the three buildings. By the end, competitors will have climbed an Elvis-Presley-leg-shake-inducing 1,600 steps.
And there are no excuses for the less energetic. There is a Step Up 1 challenge which involves climbing the 36 storeys of 20 Fenchurch Street, and being greeted at the top with a glass of champagne in the Sky Garden.
The challenge takes place on Sunday 8 March and costs £35 to enter, with a minimum fundraising amount of £300 for Step Up 3, 2, 1 and £200 for Step Up 1.
By taking part you will be helping Mencap support people with learning disabilities to rise above the negative labels, inequality and prejudice they often face.
Visit www.mencap.org.uk/StepUp for more information and to register.
Calendar of events
Aberdeen Question Time
When: 25 February
Where: Rox Hotel, Aberdeen
What: Experts discuss the state of the commercial property market and the effect of plunging oil prices. Register at www.estatesgazette.com/events
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Peter Wilson Memorial Lecture with Michael Heseltine
When: 26 February
Where: Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
What: Regional regeneration is one of the key May election battleground topics, and regeneration legend Lord Heseltine will offer unparalleled insight and opinion on transforming cities. There will also be a question and answer session. Registration is free. To attend, visit www.estatesgazette.com/events
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Widening Educational Opportunities in the Built Environment Sector
When: 14 April 2015
Where: RICS, Parliament Square, SW1
What: This event gives employers in the property and construction industries an opportunity to meet students, alumni and faculty of the College of Estate Management. For more information, visit www.cem.ac.uk
