Last night saw the official launch of LandAid’s pro bono campaign at our annual summer party.
On the night, we asked the property and construction sectors to donate over £200,000 worth of vital time and expertise to support our projects.
We want each of our corporate supporters to commit at least 10 days of free professional advice in 2014-15, acting as a catalyst social objectives and the resources of businesses to drive change. The overall aim is to get 40 companies to donate 10 days each.
So far 16 companies have already committed over 160 days in total, equating to 1,350 hours and more than £120,000 of pro bono property advice to LandAid’s charity partners. So we’re already over halfway there, and just need a few more commitments to hit our target.
With over 75 corporate partners LandAid has the connections to successfully broker relationships between pro bono providers and charities to make a difference to vulnerable children and young people in the UK. A specialist team has been set up within LandAid that will work to match available expertise with the right projects. Many of these projects lack the time, expertise and experience to cope with some of the issues that inevitably arise with their buildings.
The campaign has already been backed by ChanceryGate, Cushman & Wakefield, Gerald Eve, Grosvenor, GVA, HawkinsBrown, Irwin Mitchell, JLL, John Robertson Architects, Knight Frank, Land Securities, LDA Design, Mace, MAKE, one5two, Telereal Trillium and Turley Associates.
Joanna Averley, Chief Executive of LandAid, said: ‘Our pro bono campaign is the product of huge demand, both from the charity partners we work with, and from our industry who are keen to give something back. People are looking to business – as their employer, customer, client or supplier – to demonstrate how they are giving back to society and community. LandAid and its pro bono programme is how an entire industry can give back and thereby have a greater and more meaningful impact. This is a hugely exciting time for LandAid and a great opportunity to be part of the next phase of our journey.’
The bono programme will enable charities to reshape, sustain and grow their vital services with free expertise including: asset management, property searches, lease negotiation and purchase, architectural services, building surveys, cost estimates, tender evaluations, construction, project management and property legal advice.
If you want to make a pledge, contact Elizabeth Pearson today.