Rinder joins the ranks at Just Rifles dinner
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Judge Rinder waltzed in with a surprise appearance as the host of a game of higher or lower, as hundreds of residential agents, developers and financiers turned out to support members of the British Armed Forces and their families.
The sixth Just Rifles dinner and dance event, supported by Estates Gazette, interspersed festivity, schmoozing and colourful entertainment with heartfelt reminders of the plight of soldiers being rehabilitated into society and their families.
Just Rifles chairman Bryan Fugler and double amputee rifleman Ricky Furgusson appealed to the audience to fund the charity’s work – which includes providing physiotherapy, mental health support and training – to get riflemen back into employment.
Former Channel 5 sports presenter Jonny Gould had the audience in fits of laughter as he conducted an auction, inflating and deflating egos with rapid-fire patter.
Pop group Flood the Floor, showgirls, stilt walkers, dancers on roller skates and emcee Jamie Paskin kept guests partying well into the night.
The event, which took place at The Brewery, EC1, on 3 November, set a fundraising record, doubling the previous year’s total by taking in £240,000.
Allan Leiper, director of sponsor Henry Construction, said: “We are delighted we could help make a difference.”
To book a table for the 2017 Just Rifles event, visit http://www.justrifles.co.uk/
Appear Here team towers over rivals
Property agents and clients put their architectural skills to the test at Mishcon de Reya’s Jenga tower-building competition.
After 24 teams had their five minutes to build the tallest Jenga tower, the creative skills of pop-up firm Appear Here became apparent as the firm claimed first place. LandSec and Gymbox came joint second.
The event raised £6,000 towards the £42,000 total that Mishcon de Reya has pledged to raise for the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in northern Kenya.
The money will help build a girls’ dormitory at Ngare Ndare Secondary School as part of the Lewa Education Programme. Donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lewa-dormitory
Poker players lend a hand
The industry’s card sharps gathered recently for Palmer Capital’s charity poker tournament in aid of LandAid.
The event, co-sponsored by Forsters, took place at the Clermont Club, W1, and was attended by more than 60 property professionals from CBRE, Savills, Deloitte, GVA and other firms.
Rapley’s Jonny Doulton’s winning hand brought the evening to an exciting finale and boosted the prize fund to £1,750.
The event raised just under £9,000 for LandAid.
HIPPO weighs in with £11k for kids
Doncaster-based firms Tembé DIY and Building Products have raised £11,000 for Children with Cancer UK.
The businesses donated 50p for every promotional pack of HIPPO heavy duty trade wipes sold.
The firms’ employees also took part in runs throughout the UK to raise money.
All cash raised will support Children with Cancer UK’s research and help care for children affected by the disease.
Sentinel Housing’s community chest
Sentinel Housing Association has this year built on its successful 2015 Making it Happen Fund, awarding just under £30,000 to 11 groups that aim to deliver community-based projects in Hampshire.
This year’s project beneficiaries include Dove House School Academy; Hart Voluntary Action, for Volunteer North Hampshire’s promotional materials; Basingstoke in Bloom, for its annual competition; Picket Piece village hall for the family Christmas party; Popley Spotlight Centre, for its Child Support Programme; Destination Basingstoke for the Sitting with Jane school programme; Basingstoke Mencap, for the Greenfingers Community Gardening Service; Rooksdown Community Association, for its drop-in sessions for young people; and Sherborne St John village hall, for improving the building’s storage space.
Pick Everard man takes builders’ award
Pick Everard’s Mike Reader has picked up the Young Achiever of the Year award at the 2016 Constructing Excellence National Awards, which recognise the top achievements by construction industry firms, individuals and clients.
At the awards ceremony at Marriott Grosvenor Square, W1, he said: “The support and development opportunities I’ve been given at Pick Everard have been amazing.”
Attention, triathletes
If you have put your fitness to the test in the JLL Property Triathlon over the past 10 years and have enjoyed the exhilaration of the competition, this is your opportunity to nominate the triathlon for the Race of the Year award at the 220 Triathlon Awards.
Voting closes on 30 November. To help the event to the shortlist, go to http://www.220triathlon.com/
