Together we’ve raised £70,000 for the British Heart Foundation
Over 250 people ran, walked, cycled over 100 kilometres each
We are delighted to report that the #BHF100K campaign has been a tremendous success. We started promoting the event in December with certain fundraising and participation goals in mind, and we were delighted with the response from our industry and our local communities. We’ve seen estate agents, suppliers, local businesses, schools and many individuals of all ages and abilities; getting out in the fresh air, doing a bit of exercise at their own pace and raising a fantastic amount of money for a worthy cause. Thank you everyone.
All participants are invited to a virtual thank-you event hosted by the British Heart Foundation on Wednesday 10th February between 7.30pm and 8.30pm. This will be an opportunity to understand what the British Heart Foundation do, learn how the money we have raised will be used; hear about other participant’s stories, and there will also be some BHF100K awards! Simply email your details to eastmids@bhf.org.uk if you’d like to attend.
The #BHF100K challenge was launched in December 2020 with the aim of getting as many people to complete 100 kilometres between Boxing Day and 31st January. It involved many of our staff members, friends, families, and other local businesses; as well as companies and personalities from the estate agency industry across the UK and overseas. In the end we counted 253 people on JustGiving, including teams, but we believe as many as 280 took part taking into activity on Strava and social media.
Our Sleaford branch manager Jamie Aspland came up with the idea, and pitched it to Gary Burr, Fundraising Manager for the British Heart Foundation. Jamie takes up the story: “We wanted to do something to support people both locally and nationally, and so Gary & I put our heads together and came up with the idea of running 100 kilometres in a month which I felt was do-able”.
“By encouraging as many people as possible to get outside and exercise – always keeping to the Covid guidelines of course – it would create a culture of kudos, team spirit, and give us all a focus in what has been a challenging time. I’m also a Regional Ambassador for Agents Giving, the charity for the property industry, and it was great to have their support for the challenge. I was delighted to see so many fellow estate agents take part, including some fellow members of the Relocation Agent Network.”
The British Heart Foundation funds world-leading research into the causes of heart and circulatory diseases. Gary says that “the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic means that the BHF’s investment in new research has fallen by around £50 million this year. Our vital research is entirely fuelled by the generous donations of the public, and that’s why their support has never been more needed. We have been blown away by the support of Pygott & Crone and everyone that has got involved in the challenge. I cannot thank everyone enough for the incredible amount of money that has been raised for the BHF’s vital research.”
It was amazing to see that together we had raised £10,000 raised before Christmas! As the challenge went on, the total just kept going up and up! We saw a lot of engagement on social media from people of all ages and abilities – sharing selfies and photos of landmarks, scenery, and even defibrillators in their local area. Whilst this campaign was all about getting people out exercising, and raising money for charity, inevitably there was a competitive element – and a special mention to the following people.
Jasper Caudwell, who on one single run, covered 30km from Woodhall Spa to Lincoln. Dec Nattrass who ran 395km in total during the challenge. Garry Martin who walked 421km in total during the challenge. Mark Bevan, who himself suffers from atrial fibrillation, cycled a mammoth 729km. Callum Bland, who himself has a heart defect, completed 300km on a rowing machine.
Kevin Scrupps, our director, was instrumental in promoting the event to the wider estate agency industry. In summary he says “it has been great to see so many people getting out, exercising, and raising a lot of money for the British Heart Foundation. I put the call out to our industry and got an excellent response from many agents, suppliers, and individuals; and also from our staff and local communities. Many of the people taking part have had family members affected by heart and circulatory disease, and I was particularly touched by the story of Andrea Catley, a fellow estate agent from Somerset. Her daughter suffered a heart attack on Boxing Day 2019, and the following Easter her fiancé was also rushed to hospital with arterial fibrillation. Andrea was inspired to change her lifestyle, started jogging, and subsequently joined the #BHF100K challenge. She personally raised a tremendous £3,500, which was the most by any individual taking part. Our sincere thanks go to everyone who took part, donated, or supported us in this fantastic campaign”.
More than 250 people took part
This campaign would not have been a success without the amazing people who took part: running, walking, cycling, or rowing at least 100 kilometres. Together we have raised £70,000 plus gift aid which is amazing. Our sincere thanks to you all.
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