Social: 1,000 race up Tower 42 for Shelter

The race to the top Tower 42, EC2, hosted the ninth annual Vertical Rush tower running race this month, raising £300,000 for housing and homelessness charity Shelter. More than 1,000 people took part in the challenge to race 932 steps to the top, including teams from British Land, Carter Jonas, Barton Willmore, Kennedy Wilson and Rapport Guest Services. The fastest property competitor was Jeremy Gibb from Carter Jonas, who made it up the building’s 600 ft in five minutes and 30 seconds. Members of the Royal Engineers participated, mounting the 42 floors in full army gear, as well as a team of London firefighters. Celebrity runners included Olympic gold rower Alex Gregory and long-term Shelter supporter Nell McAndrew. Property rallies for injured royal marine vet A new bespoke house equipped with lifting hoists and rails has given a royal marine veteran greater independence and security. Corporal Phil Eaglesham was left disabled after contracting Q fever while on tour in Afghanistan. The Royal Marines Charity pursued the project with support from construction industry, and donors and supporters included Patron Capital, Haldons Chartered Surveyors, Persimmon Homes, Grainge Architects and Mundy Construction. Eaglesham said: “This house gives us the chance to make a life and a future again. The independence the house layout will give me is second to none. “From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank the Royal Marines Charity, its supporters and everyone that gave up their time and effort to help us with this life-changing project.” Kier quiz raises £25,000 for charity Lambert Smith Hampton has beaten 23 other teams to be declared quiz champions at Kier Property’s industry quiz night and auction for the Kier Foundation. The night raised £25,000 for the foundation, which supports the Alzheimer’s Society and other charitable causes chosen by Kier employees. Aitchison Raffety’s question of sport Aitchison Raffety has sponsored a night of trivia for the Question of Sport charity dinner held at Sopwell House, Hertfordshire. The evening raised £45,000 for Rennie Grove Hospice Care, with PwC UK declared the winners. Compered by Sky Sports presenter Geoff Shreeves, more than 200 professionals attended to support the local charity, which provides care and support for patients in Herts and Bucks diagnosed with life-limiting illness. Covent Garden set to bloom Covent Garden will feature at the Chelsea Flower Show for the first time this year. Award-winning garden designer Lee Bestall will create ‘500 years of Covent Garden’,  sponsored by Capco, the landowner and steward of Covent Garden. Bestall’s design will celebrate Covent Garden’s early roots as a fruit and later flower market.