Registered charity number: 1160989
Leading by Example in the Munificent Midlands
With the first three months of 2023 speeding past us in what seems like a blur, we continue to be impressed by the charitable nature of our community-centric agents. The Fine & Country network spans across the globe, but this quarter we have been particularly struck by the efforts of some of our agents within the Midlands in England.
In March this year, Fine & Country held its Annual International Conference and Awards, during which many agencies and individuals were praised for their contributions to the network, with The Foundation proudly presenting an award for Outstanding Contribution on the day. Fine & Country Midlands, consisting of several agencies in the region, contributed a staggering total amassing to almost £40,000 in 2022 – a feat accomplished through donating £100 per completion to The Foundation, plus additional vendor contributions. The team also took part in a Tough Mudder race, with their fundraising contributing a further £1,000. Of this collection of offices, Fine & Country Rugby were the highest contributor, donating £6,500 over the course of the past year and thus, the team walked away with the trophy.
Following on from a remarkable year of donations, the teams are continuing their humanitarian endeavours into 2023. Starting with a sponsored sleep out in Leamington Spa in February to raise awareness and funds for homeless people in the area. Organised by Helping Hands, based in Leamington Spa, the annual "big sleep out" is now in its eighth year. Jonathan Handford, Director at Fine & Country Leamington Spa said: “We have partaken in the sleep out in Leamington Spa with Helping Hands from the very start, back in 2015. This year I did it with my brother-in-law whose snoring was like a herd of marauding elephants! It’s tough sleeping out in February. It isn’t just the cold and the wet, but the noise from a bustling town centre makes it impossible to sleep and get any proper rest. It really makes you realise that this is a reality for many homeless people in the UK, and anyone stuck in that cycle must find it incredibly difficult to get their life back on track without the support of others.”
This month, Fine & Country Droitwich Spa, one of Leamington Spa’s neighbouring agents, held a Charity Disco event at The Flyford Inn. Vanessa Bradford, partner agent at Fine & Country Droitwich Spa said: “The event was a huge success, with £6,000 being raised, which will be split equally between Kidsout and The Fine & Country Foundation. Both charities are extremely important as they raise awareness and help to support disadvantaged children and the homeless respectively. My colleague Halina Day and I would like to extend our gratitude to all who attended, and the generous friends, clients and local businesses who donated prizes for the raffle and auction.”
Fine & Country Midlands will also be getting involved in the East Midlands Tough Mudder event again in 2023 for their second consecutive year, all in the name of charity. In 2022, 13 people completed the 5km course, littered with fun but challenging obstacles varying from mud-slicked walls, cargo nets and rope swings. Jonathan Handford commented at the time on how proud he was at the efforts of his team not only in this challenge, but their commitment to The Foundation over the years. “The Fine & Country Foundation has contributed to so many good causes over the years. From funding local soup kitchens and rehabilitation centres to rebuilding an entire village in the Himalayas. The team know the difference it makes which is why they are so keen to do what they can to support it,” he adds.
At the turn of 2023, the running total raised by the Foundation since its inception has reached over 800,000 – an incredible milestone that we will strive to increase over the course of this year. Thank you for the astounding generosity made by the Fine & Country network and the public for making the Grant Programme and all our other charitable efforts possible. You too could join us in supporting charities all over the world - make a donation to the Fine & Country Foundation today.
11th Apr 2023