On Friday 8th March 2024, Fine & Country held its Annual Conference, welcoming agents from around the globe to gather at The Brewery in London. The event saw many agencies and individuals praised for their contributions to the network, with The Foundation proudly presenting an award for Outstanding Contribution to one very worthy office.

Fine & Country Droitwich Spa was presented with the charitable accolade after an incredible year of philanthropy in 2023 including hosting a raffle and disco in the spring and a sponsored walk at Christmas time, raising thousands of pounds in the process.

During the conference, Bel Burnell Molyneux gave a thought-provoking presentation to the room on the impact The Foundation’s donations have had within homeless charities in 2023 and the previous 10 years, since its inception in 2014. As well as reiterating the importance of the network’s continued support over the coming 12 months and beyond, there was also a silent auction held in honour of The Foundation with generous donations paying for everything from new ovens, towels, bedding and food packages for those less fortunate and in need of support.

During the event, members of the National Advisory Council, Edward Taylor and Ben Madden, took to the floor to encourage business owners in the room to pledge ongoing donations to the Foundation throughout the rest of 2024. The reception was fantastic with many agents offering generous donations, spearheaded by our London agents. Fine & Country Mayfair pledged to donate £500 per completion and Fine & Country Chiswick, Fine & Country Highbury and Islington, and Fine & Country Notting Hill followed suit with £200 per completion. Fine & Country Leeds also pledged £200 per month to The Foundation while Fine & Country South Scotland, Fine & Country Mid and South Essex, Fine & Country Chepstow, and Fine & Country West Hampstead will each donate £100 per completion. Fine & Country South Norfolk and North Suffolk pledged £50 per completion. With the UK agents leading by example, our international agents soon followed, with Fine & Country Algarve pledging £150 per completion and Fine & Country Cyprus donating £100 per completion. 

The Foundation has raised over £950,000 in the past decade and as we celebrate our anniversary this September, we are aiming to break the £1 million threshold! During the conference in March, Jon Cooke, Trustee of The Fine & Country Foundation, announced his latest challenge. Alongside Sean Newman of Fine & Country Midlands, in May 2024, Jon will lace up his running shoes to embark on an incredible journey along the Grand Union Canal Towpath. The route spans 154 miles, beginning at Gas Street Basin in Birmingham, winding through the picturesque countryside of Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, and the Chilterns, before concluding their epic run at Fine & Country's Park Lane office in London. The duo will cover approximately 34 miles per day over the course of five days with Jon planning to run the route, and Sean walking. They will also be joined by Craig Dyce, current World and European Duathlon Champion, and they extend an open invitation to anyone who wishes to join them on a leg of the route, encouraging participation and camaraderie along the way, either walking, running, or biking. For those unable to join in person, you can still show their support by offering words of encouragement and making donations here.

Jon was joined on stage too by Lee Armstrong, as he was about to embark on a thrilling adventure of his own for The Foundation. Lee and his colleague Bert Rogers have recently completed an epic 15-day expedition to Everest Base Camp. Led by a private tour team comprising Sherpas and expert guides this intrepid journey has raised in excess of £7,000 and growing, you can still donate here. Nepal holds significant meaning for The Foundation, with the remote hillside village of Thangpalkot in the Sindhupalchok district of Nepal fully reconstructed in a joint venture by The Fine & Country Foundation and Campbells Foundation, after it was struck by a devastating earthquake. 

To make a donation to The Fine & Country Foundation and support us in our mission to reach £1,000,000, click here.

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