How the industry’s donations have helped charities in 2017

Despite a whirlwind 2017, the property industry has continued to work tirelessly in raising money for worthy causes. Here, three of those causes – LandAid, Coram and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards – explain the work they have been able to do as a result of the sector’s fundraising efforts. A thank you from LandAid “How on Earth do you get any work done?” The property and construction industries’ propensity and enthusiasm for fundraising was one of the biggest shocks I had when I joined LandAid nearly three years ago. Barely a day passed without an abseil, a sponsored cycle ride, a reception in aid of a good cause. The truth is, of course, you work hard, you play hard and you fundraise hard. And along with the countless charities you support, LandAid benefits hugely. From corporate donations to sponsorship, from fundraising at our great annual events (find out more at https://www.landaid.org/events) to support from your own events, from quiet cheques in the post, to huge dinners, you helped raise the £2.2m we used to support young people facing homelessness here in the UK. And the impact is there for all to see. In Bristol, Barking and Blackpool, in Leeds, Leicester and Derry/Londonderry (and towns and cities across the country), we are funding homes for young people. And here in London, admirable youth homeless charity Depaul UK now has an outstanding new HQ building and additional space from which it can also deliver extra services to young people at risk of sleeping rough. None of this would have been possible without your support. And on top of your fundraising, you have doubled the value of your financial donations through our pro bono programme. Last year, we brokered free property advice to the value of at least £1.1m – that’s £1.1m that the charities we support won’t have to pay out, and that they can instead spend on services to young people. As austerity bites and funding is cut across the board, that is an invaluable contribution. This past year has been an incredible year. While its highlight may have been the Duke of Cambridge’s attendance at our gala dinner in March, the record-breaking LandAid 10k or our Sponsor a Home campaign, the most important data is this: We provided accommodation for 258 young people, and 2,873 young people were supported into work through projects we funded. We have set ourselves the goal of providing 450 bedspaces for young people facing homelessness before 2020. Those homes will be right round the country and delivered in partnership with some of the best charities in the UK. As we look to 2018 and begin our historic partnership with the RICS to raise £2.25m as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, we could not be more confident of the impact we can achieve together – LandAid, and one of the most generous industry sectors of all*. And it is thanks to our ambassadors, our new regional fundraising boards in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester, our generous corporate partners and sponsors, our trustees and committee members, our pro bono professionals, our event participants, our media supporters, and, Dear Reader, it is thanks to you. *’Probably Paul Morrish, chief executive Christmas message from Coram On behalf of everyone at Coram, thank you to all EG readers who have kindly supported the charity in 2017. It has been another fantastic year for the Coram and Club Peloton partnership, in which hundreds of cyclists from across the property and real estate sector have undertaken challenging cycle rides to raise vital funds for vulnerable children. The MIPIM, MAPIC and pedElle rides have seen cycling enthusiasts and novices come together to ride, network and fundraise. Through the unpredictable weather conditions, early starts, demanding training schedules and burning hill climbs, the cyclists form strong relationships that have helped create a unique charitable initiative in the sector. This year we celebrated passing the £1m milestone for funds raised for Coram through Club Peloton since 2012 – a remarkable achievement. The money raised by the dedicated riders primarily goes towards Coram Adoption and makes a tangible difference to children and families. Coram’s award-winning services help to create a permanent family for children who need it most, creating a change that lasts a lifetime: £550 – Enables Coram Adoption to find and prepare adoptive parents £1,500 – Provides post-adoption support to a child and their family for life £5,500 – The cost of a full adoption placement for a vulnerable child, from start to finish Coram Adoption finds and prepares adoptive parents, places vulnerable children with secure, safe and loving families forever and provides adoptive families with a lifetime of support. Coram’s adoption activity days were recently the focus of a Channel 4 documentary, Finding Me a Family. With adopters and children able to interact, the activity days provide children who wait the longest with an opportunity to find their forever family. Adoption activity days have a one in four success rate and are now being piloted in fostering as a means of securing permanence for children. All this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity and commitment of the sector; drawing on the support of friends, family and corporate networks to help raise charitable funds. Christmas is a time for family and friends to come together, and this year more children will enjoy the festive season in a safe, loving environment with a family of their own thanks to the wonderful support of the sector and the Club Peloton riders this year. To find out more about the work of Coram, visit http://www.coram.org.uk/ To read more about Club Peloton, visit https://clubpeloton.org/ To view the Channel 4 Finding Me a Family documentary, visit http://www.channel4.com/programmes/finding-me-a-family Property industry contributes £2m to young people via the DofE Last year, Thomas achieved his Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and, like other DofE young people, he spent months developing new skills, dedicating his time to helping others, improving his fitness and navigating his way through the countryside. The only difference for Thomas was that he completed his Bronze Award while serving a prison sentence. “Our practice expedition was the first time that I felt like a normal person, not a prisoner, which made the experience very memorable,” said Thomas, who since his release from prison, has secured full-time paid work. “Doing DofE made me realise that I can achieve things,” he added. “I learnt to work as part of a team and it built my confidence, which helped me to get my full-time job.” Helping disadvantaged young people such as Thomas to get their lives back on track is a powerful motivation for the charity’s many supporters from the property sector. Companies such as Delancey, Capital & Counties, Soho Estates, Vinci, Skanska and Balfour Beatty are investing in young people’s skills and training for the benefit of the individuals and wider community. Over the past five years, the property sector has contributed more than £2m to help young people to benefit from the DofE. This support has given thousands of disadvantaged young people the chance to grow in confidence and develop the resilience to overcome challenges. Find out more about the DofE at www.dofe.org