“I have also signed up for the 10 mile London Bridges Walk on 29 September in aid of Diabetes UK, although at my current pace I will reach my one million steps goal before that event.”

You can support Michael and his efforts at: https://step.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/michael1249

London Square: Housing developer London Square has pledged its support for the important work and legacy of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of Chelsea Pensioners, as the first corporate sponsor of a new programme the organisation has just launched.

London Square’s contribution will help the Royal Hospital Chelsea in its work with resident Chelsea Pensioners and veterans’ support work in the community.

The developer recently acquired a site on Tite Street next to the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Adam Lawrence, CEO of London Square, said: “The work the Royal Hospital Chelsea does with its pensioners and veterans is inspirational. As neighbours, we are delighted to be the first corporate patron and pledge our support to the charity for years to come.”

David Richmond, CEO of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, said: “We greatly value our partnership with London Square, our first patron. Partnerships like this help us look after our Chelsea pensioners and ensure we can maintain our beautiful, Grade II listed Sir Christopher Wren buildings for future generations of veterans.”

The new partnership was celebrated at the Royal Hospital with a tea party for the Chelsea Pensioners in the State Apartments. London Square and the Pensioners also enjoyed a light-hearted round of golf on the putting green in the grounds of the Royal Hospital.

Barratt Houses: Volunteers from Barratt Homes offered their help to Electric Umbrella at its annual live music event in Watford.

The charity creates live music experiences with people with learning disabilities, helping to change the way the world perceives its community and people like them.

The charity provides live and interactive music experiences to learning disabled people across the region, as well as an education programme that has so far reached over 40,000 students and 150 schools, led by incredible professional and learning disabled musicians. Their live festival Umbrellafest saw over 150 artists perform in Watford town centre.

The event welcomed people from across the region, from family, friends and supporters of Electric Umbrella to shoppers passing through the town centre. Songs from all three of the charity’s albums were played and cover versions of popular songs were offered for sing-alongs.

Hertfordshire-based Electric Umbrella was voted Charity of the Year by Barratt North Thames and will be supported by housebuilders’ volunteering and fundraising efforts throughout 2024.

Volunteers from Barratt North Thames joined Electric Umbrella to help organise the community event.

Mel Boda, Managing Director of Electric Umbrella, said: “It’s fantastic to have the support of Barratt David Wilson North Thames this year and to have volunteers on hand to help make Umbrellafest a success. The atmosphere is always incredible and we are so proud of our artists for taking to the stage to show how important these live music experiences are.”
“We are extremely grateful for all fundraising efforts and appreciate the long-term support of companies like Barratt Homes as it allows us to make a real difference all year round.”

Electric Umbrella plays at concerts and festivals and has a programme of online activities accessible across the UK and beyond, alongside regular music sessions, workshops, crew days and gigs at venues in Hertfordshire and surrounding areas.

Marc Woolfe, Sales and Marketing Director at Barratt North Thames, added: “Supporting Electric Umbrella has been a privilege and will be the first of many opportunities to grow our relationship with this fantastic organisation. Charities like Electric Umbrella make a huge difference to people with learning disabilities locally and provide incredible opportunities to meet new people and have new experiences.”

Fine & Country Foundation: The Fine & Country Foundation has raised almost £1 million since its inception in 2014. This milestone, achieved through the dedication of Fine & Country members and the generosity of the public, underlines the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to tackling poverty and homelessness.

In July, members of Fine & Country met at Leamington & County Golf Club for a day of outdoor sport and fun, all in support of the Fine & Country Foundation. The event, organised by Jon Handford, a long-time supporter of the Foundation and Director of Fine & Country in the Midlands, brought colleagues and friends together with a common goal: to raise vital funds.

Handford, who has donated £100 every time a property is completed and taken on numerous challenges to support the cause, stressed the importance of giving back to the community, commenting: “Thank you to everyone who contributed to the £2,075 raised on golf day. These funds have been donated to the foundation and will support our mission to raise £1 million. This money will go to Helping Hands, a local charity that we are proud to support.”

Jon Cooke, Trustee of the Fine & Country Foundation, thanked the network and the public for their support, adding: “The Foundation’s donations and grants are essential in supporting many organisations committed to making their communities a better place. Without the incredible effort and generosity of the Fine & Country network and the public, we could not achieve this milestone.”

Building relationships: Property and built environment PR agency Building Relations completed the Victoria Line Challenge on Friday 2 August.

The event saw the team run the entire 15-mile stretch of London Underground’s Victoria Line from Walthamstow Central to Brixton, with the PR agency raising over £1,500 and counting for its charity partner Housing for Women.

A team of 11 colleagues from Building Relations’ London and Surrey offices, as well as representatives from Housing for Women, took part in the challenge. Organised by the agency’s dedicated environmental and social team, the day saw staff start their journey from Walthamstow Central, stopping at each of the 16 stations on the Victoria Line and finishing in the heart of South London in Brixton, where the charity is based. The event is the agency’s biggest fundraiser to date for its charity partner.

Tallulah Lawson-Cresswell, Head of Fundraising at Housing for Women, said: “We would like to congratulate Building Relations PR on tackling this challenge and reiterate the company’s support for our work.

“The challenge wasn’t easy, especially in the 28 degree heat on a busy London Friday, but our amazing team spirit got us through! It was very fitting that the challenge finished in Brixton, close to our Housing for Women HQ. It was incredible to be able to cross the finish line with the team at Building Relations and we are really grateful to the team for raising over £1,500 which will make a huge difference to the women we support in London.”

Kathryn Reucroft, Managing Director of Building Relations PR, added: “When Building Relations partnered with Housing for Women earlier this year, we knew we wanted to support the charity in any way we could.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to all of our donors, especially Housing for Women, who came with us on the march and supported us throughout. It was a massive challenge for such a good cause and the team looks forward to continuing our support throughout the year.”