Agents’ Antarctic adventure
Savills director David Henry and Endurance Estates owner Tim Holmes have successfully retraced part of Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition to the Antarctic.
The dauntless pair, based in Cambridge, marked the centenary of Shackleton’s trans-Antarctic campaign by taking the route his team would have followed in November 1915 had their ship, Endurance, not become icebound.
Henry and Holmes were joined by author Andy McNab and explorer David Hempleman-Adams, plus 12 others, who were dropped off by aircraft to the 100-mile point, then trekked on skis to the South Pole, pulling their supplies by sledge.
They battled ferocious wind chill to reach the South Pole on 17 December, eight days after setting off.
Henry described the challenge as “hard work in a stunning white wilderness”.
The team were raising funds to create a digital archive of historical records from the Shackleton expedition.
Redrow builds partnership with hospice
Redrow has committed to a year-long fundraising partnership with St Luke’s Hospice in Middlesex.
As part of its commitment the Essex-based housing developer will host fundraising events, including a golf day, as well as sponsoring activities arranged by the hospice, including the charity’s 25th anniversary gala dinner.
Running the hospice costs more than £4m a year and Redrow’s support will provide a valuable funding stream.
Redrow sales director Kerry Jenkins said: “St Luke’s is a fantastic local charity providing much needed care and support for those with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
“The whole team is backing the fundraising effort and we hope to raise as much money as possible for such a worthy cause.”
Ladies saddle up for 2016
Ladies, if you have made 2016 the year to get on your bike, then mark 25 January in your diaries.
Club Peleton is holding the launch event for this year’s PedElle ride, which will take challengers on a route from Salzburg to Venice on 25-28 May, arriving in the Italian city in time for the Architecture Biennale.
PedElle is a fully supported and fun cycling challenge for female riders of all abilities who work in property. It also raises money for children’s charity Coram.
The launch event takes place on 25 January from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Coram Community Campus at 41 Brunswick Square, WC1. Register for the launch event, where you will meet potential fellow riders and find out more about this year’s route.
Rick on board for cancer charity
Rick Lawrence of Telereal Trillium will be celebrating his 50th birthday somewhere in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean in a cross-continent fundraising bid.
The property partnerships director (pictured) will be competing in the Clipper 2015/2016 Round the World Race, taking part in two legs, from Qingdao in China to Seattle in the US, and Seattle to New York.
From March until June, he will be on board the 70-ft yacht Garmin, competing with a crew of 20 against 11 other vessels.
“I will be totally outside of my comfort zone and expect this experience and challenge to be exciting, boring, cold, hot, wet, scary, uncomfortable, exhausting, fun, rewarding and exhilarating,” he wrote on his Just Giving page.
Lawrence hopes to raise a significant sum for blood cancer charity Bloodwise, after his mother was recently diagnosed with a form of the disease.
BPF celebrates future property industry leaders
The British Property Federation is recognising under-35s who have proven to be outstanding representatives of the property sector with a new awards programme.
The industry body has launched the first BPF Tomorrow’s Leaders Awards, which will be presented at the inaugural BPF President’s Lunch on 14 April.
There are four awards categories: Best Industry Ambassador, for someone who actively promotes the value of the property industry; Best Leader, for anyone who has successfully led a team or project, overcoming obstacles along the way; Best Customer Service, for someone who has gone above and beyond for clients; and Best Unsung Hero, for someone who adds value to the industry or their team but gets little praise.
Candidates can put themselves forward or be nominated, but only for one category. Winners will walk away with £1,000 and a magnum of champagne, a seat at the VIP table at the BPF annual dinner, and a ticket to the BPF annual conference.
The deadline for entries is 22 February.
DofE Diamond Challenge
The property industry has been a big supporter of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and now a rare opportunity has come up for professionals of every age to gain an award for themselves.
To mark its diamond anniversary, the charity, which usually offers the award to 14 to 24-year-olds who complete challenges and volunteering activities, is opening up the award to everyone.
If you have been a supporter of the programme, or simply missed the chance in your younger years, now is the time to try it out for yourself. Your DofE Diamond Challenge can be any achievement personal to you, from kayaking the Zambesi to learning to knit.
It is also a great opportunity to round up your colleagues and get involved on a corporate level.
The DofE Award has given millions the opportunity to learn life-changing skills.Disadvantaged youngsters benefit the most; the challenges often helping them to develop the confidence and skills they need to be work-ready.
For your piece of DofE action, you must sign up and commit to raising money for the charity; £150 will fund one of the DofE’s local operations teams for a day.
rebecca.kent@estatesgazette.com
