Last year we started a new Ambassador of the Month campaign, to further recognise the amazing work our Ambassadors are doing.
Each month we’ll select one Ambassador to speak to, asking them about their time at LandAid and highlighting something exceptional they’ve done.
Our past Ambassadors of the month have been: Anna Stewart from BNPPRE, Alexander Barnes and Joseph Round from Gerald Eve LLP, Kitty Kent from PwC, Sophie Walker from Gerald Eve LLP, Emma Murray from Palmer Capital, Laura Da Silva from Malcolm Hollis, Sarah Gunn from TFT Consultants, India Storey from Logicor UK, Bryony Jones and Jake Craig from Gerald Eve LLP, Owen Dutton from Eversheds Sutherland and Annabel Freeman, Guy Heilpern, Tom Newton and Jo Wilkinson from SEGRO.
We’re really pleased to announce our twelfth Ambassadors of the Month as Sarah Gunn from TFT Consultants,, Lindsay Iles from AWW UK, Luke Martin from JLL and Natasha Neale from Padmanor! We selected them in part for their amazing efforts in arranging the incredible South West Tag Rugby Tournament in Bristol last month, raising funds for LandAid, and for their general fantastic work shouting about our mission to end youth homelessness.
We asked them some questions about their time as LandAid Ambassadors so far. Check out their answers below.
Why did you get involved in the LandAid Ambassador programme?
Lindsay: One of the directors in my company, Chris Mitchell, is on the South West board. Chris invited Sarah Gunn in to the office to explain what the Ambassador role is and she invited people to help her form a South West team of Ambassadors. It sounded like a great opportunity to help a good cause and to meet other people in the industry so I signed up!
Natasha: The cause was very appealing as a young person. To be involved in something that could make a difference to people living in the same area with unfortunate circumstances resonated alot with me.
Luke: I was involved in the East Street Mews project on behalf of JLL, providing pro bono project management services. LandAid is a partner on that scheme and I was really keen to be involved in other ways, such as fundraising and spreading the message of what LandAid does.
Sarah: My boss David Mann (who is also on the fundraising committee) said shortly after I joined TFT that I should apply to be one. I think in my second week at TFT I organised a LandAid fundraising week which caught his eye. I haven’t looked back since!
What has been the most enjoyable thing you’ve done as Ambassadors?
Lindsay: Taking part in this year’s LandAid challenge in the peak district was really fun. I also enjoy catching up the other Ambassadors at our monthly meetings, it’s good to share ideas and hear what the others have been up to!
Natasha: Being involved with the Tag rugby South West tournament from the beginning and seeing its success.
Luke: Definitely helping out with the organisation of the South West Tag Tournament which was a real success. Also, meeting up and working with the other Ambassadors who are all a great laugh.
Sarah: Either the monthly Ambassador meetings we have down here as they feel really productive and rewarding, or the countless LandAid events I have had the privilege of taking part in!
Which fundraising idea you’ve seen someone else undertake for LandAid most impressed you?
Lindsay: The pub quiz that was organised by Ambassadors from SEGRO plc that raised £10,000. Incredible achievement especially as it was their first ever quiz!
Natasha: Trekking to Nepal and the London SleepOut last year – I was part of a charity in Bristol who was going to do a sleepout last year at the same time but it was called off because it was too cold!
Sarah: There are so many! In all honesty, a pub quiz is always such a good shout. If a good team organises it, it doesn’t take too much effort and the costs are very low – plus, everyone loves a quiz in this industry since it is such an inclusive event! I am just waiting for more that are quirky/themed/out of the ordinary!
Why would you say other people should become LandAid Ambassadors?
Lindsay: Being an Ambassador enables you to use the skills and expertise that you already have as a member of the property industry, to make a meaningful contribution to such a pressing social issue as youth homelessness. You also learn lots of new skills – for example, as I did in events organisation, and it’s a perfect way to broaden your contacts in the industry.
Natasha: You get involvement and good experience in events and fundraising that I wouldn’t get in my day to day role and you get to meet other young people in the industry.
Luke: Youth homelessness is a really important issue, one that’s very current and needs as much support as possible from the rest of the property industry. The fact that we are able to have some fun at the same time is a real bonus.
Sarah: It’s one of the easiest ways to be a force of change for good in your local communities by using your skills and contacts from your day job. The networks are brilliant, the events are fun and the impact is very visible, especially on a regional level where local charity partners of LandAid undertake projects that are within close proximity of us all.
What’s been your proudest moment/achievement as an Ambassador?
Lindsay: The tag rugby tournament was definitely my proudest moment and achievement. It was pretty stressful during the run up as I have never helped organise an event before, but seeing all the Ambassadors’ hard work pay off and everyone have a great time at the event to raise money for a good cause definitely made it worth it. I’m very proud of our South West Ambassador team!
Natasha: The tag rugby event – a lot of labour went into it so it was so rewarding to see the industry come together for this, and everyone gave us such good feedback afterwards!
Luke: Helping out with the events, the South West Tag Tournament and the LandAid Dinner, which was hosted at the former Avon Fire Authority Headquarters, a scheme I’m proud to be involved with.
Sarah: Receiving the first LandAid award was up there but for me, setting up the South West Ambassadors and pulling off this event as a team without any dramas – it is definitely the beginning of many great things to come for the region!
If you’d like to tell us about something you’ve done which you think qualifies you as our Ambassador of the Month, or you’d like to nominate another Ambassador for the accolade, then email Tom Gellatly and let him know.