Harry’s team rows to a record
Savills’ Harry Wentworth-Stanley has completed the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge – and smashed the event’s record for charity fund raising.
Part of a fearless quartet, Harry and his teammates completed the 3,000-mile transatlantic crossing, considered to be one of the world’s toughest sailing challenges, in 39 days, four hours and 14 minutes, raising £550,000 for the James Wentworth-Stanley Memorial Fund.
The team undertook the challenge to raise awareness of anxiety, depression and suicide and in memory of Harry’s brother James.
The money raised will go towards funding a series of non-clinical crisis centres offering support for those with depression named James’ Place.
The foursome set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands to Antigua in the Caribbean on 14 December, the 10th anniversary of James’s death.
Harry says: “When we set out on this challenge, our number one aim was to raise as much money as possible for this charity, and we are completely flabbergasted by how much we raised. To see the money ratcheting up really spurred us on and secured the future of a much-needed facility, James’ Place.”
Carsten Heron Olsen, chief executive of race organisers Atlantic Campaigns, says: “The way these guys pushed winners Latitude 35 all the way to the finish line – and an eventual race record – had supporters gripped.
“The Row For James story really epitomises the spirit of the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, and the staggering amount they have raised thanks to the enormous generosity of the public is something of which these four athletes, and everyone connected with them, should be so proud.”
To donate to the charity and view the Row For James adventure go to www.rowforjames.com
Bristol trust benefits from year-long effort
JLL’s Bristol office presented a cheque for £12,000 to homelessness charity Julian Trust.
The team raised the sum with a series of fundraising events held over a year, including Contractors’ Quest, a bake-off, dress down days and a pool night,
The trust has been providing emergency shelter to homeless people in Bristol for 30 years, funded entirely by public donations and staffed by volunteers.
Dream teams hit fundraising goal
Manchester’s business and property industry battled it out in a charity football match to raise £11,000 for the Factory Youth Zone, which provides support for disadvantaged young people in the city.
The match – modelled on a fantasy derby between Manchester United managed by Gary Neville and Manchester City managed by Dennis Tueart – took place at Altrincham Football Club. City lifted the cup, beating United 6-1.
Making up the dream teams where players from OBI Property, NCC Group, Property Alliance Group and Palatine Private Equity.
Residents call the tune
Newham housing association residents brought the house down at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in the finale of its community choir project.
At the end of 2016 local housing associations East Thames, L&Q and Genesis backed an initiative to create a new community choir. The project was funded by Genesis Community Foundation.
Guided by the singing group Stratford East Singers, and leading recording artist Byron Gold, 15 residents took to the stage as House Harmony and performed to a sell-out audience.
Genesis volunteer programme manager Lauren Picton said: “House Harmony’s performance was amazing and exceeded expectations. All of the choir members put so much hard work in and they should be really proud of what they have achieved in a short space of time. Projects like this are fantastic at bringing communities together to have fun while building confidence and new skills.”
Foundation to help most vulnerable
Social housing provider Stonewater has launched the Longleigh Foundation, an independent national charity to help some of its most disadvantaged residents.
With an endowment of £500,000 Stonewater has set up the foundation and will focus on projects to help the elderly, young people, women in crisis due to domestic abuse, and residents with physical or mental disabilities.
Funding has so far been awarded to an innovative “recovery toolkit” programme at a women’s refuge in Southampton and grant-funding an IT equipment and digital ambassadors scheme to help tackle digital exclusion among older people.
For more information go to www.longleighfoundation.org
Hall hauls himself across the country
Robert Hall of CALA Homes Thames will take on four events, covering 200 miles with a total incline of 20,000ft for The Prince’s Trust. CALA Homes is the affiliated charity partner for the trust, which works to help young people into employment, education and training.
Hall’s fundraising mission will see him undertake three challenges – the New Forest ultra marathon, Brighton marathon and Centurion South Downs Way 100 race, with the aim of raising £10,000. To donate go to www.justpaid.co.uk
The final test will be the Three Peaks Challenge, which Hall and 20 members of the Thames region office will take on, with a collective fundraising target of £15,000. To donate go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/CALAThamesthreepeakschallenge
Apprentices wanted
Property management company Rendall & Rittner is spearheading the first government apprenticeship pilot in housing and property management.
Following the government pledge to create three million apprenticeships by 2020, the firm has formed a collaboration group combining Catch 22, the Chartered Institute of Housing and the Institute of Residential Property Management.
The new programme will deliver a new Level 3 apprenticeship pilot scheme in housing and property management, with the aim of helping to establish and grow future career opportunities beneficial both to employers and candidates in the sector.
To register for the scheme email apprenticeship@catch-22.org.uk
