In September 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 and Sophie Walker from Gerald Eve LLP.
We’re really pleased to announce our fifth Ambassador of the Month, Emma Murray from Palmer Capital! We selected Emma for her fantastic work in her time as one of our London Lead Ambassadors, including her outstanding efforts in Palmer Capital’s annual Money Maker Challenge which raises enormous totals for LandAid every year. She also massively helped in the organisation of our LandAid Ambassador Christmas Drinks, which Palmer Capital kindly hosted at their offices.
We asked her some questions about her time as a LandAid Ambassador so far. Check out her answers below.
Why did you get involved in the LandAid Ambassador programme?
Palmer Capital had been a foundation partner for LandAid for many years prior to me joining the firm in 2015. It was a natural fit to become an Ambassador, as I could see how much we could help the charity with both the support of the Palmer HQ and the eight regional property companies within our network. Charity, in particular charity relating to youth homelessness, is something which is very close to my heart, which has helped me motivate others to get involved more proactively.
What has been the most enjoyable thing you’ve done as an Ambassador, and what fundraising idea you’ve seen someone else undertake for LandAid most impressed you?
Visiting the Canopy Housing project in Leeds has been a highlight for me. Seeing first-hand how the money we raised was assisting a young lady called Eva get off the street really brought it home for me. Eva had been ‘sofa surfing’ since the age of 11. I can’t even imagine how this lack of stability has affected her life. Seeing directly how the £30,000 we had raised had impacted a young lady’s life further motivated my efforts to try and do more for young individuals like Eva.
I’ve been most impressed with Gavin Bridge at Cubex for his launch of the East Street Mews project, where he has managed to rally the support of over 30 businesses on a pro-bono basis to bring 11 apartments in Bristol back into use.
I feel this project will pave the way for other professionals and businesses to realise there are others ways to help charities such as LandAid, without having to run a marathon or host a quiz night. I think pro bono support for LandAid will be a massive help in its mission to end youth homelessness.
We as an industry have such a deep access to such an array of skill sets, networks, and services, which all can be put to good use in projects such as the East Street Mews scheme.
Why would you say other people should become LandAid Ambassadors, and what has your proudest moment as an Ambassador been?
Being a LandAid Ambassador is a fantastic way to network with a range of your industry peers, from those just starting their careers to industry legends like Rob Bould and Mike Slade.
It also gives you an immense sense of purpose knowing the actual impact your fundraising efforts have.
The Ambassador programme isn’t demanding – the LandAid team are highly supportive and innovative, and welcome any kind of support, whether that’s you dedicating half an hour of your time or leading a mass fundraising event or writing a blog for their website.
As for my proudest moment since joining the scheme, in my first year as an Ambassador I was delighted to win the ‘Top Fundraising Award’ at the LandAid Ambassador Awards. I’d only been in the industry for six months and was immensely proud of this accolade.
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 Callum Harvey and let him know.