News

In July 2014, LandAid launched its free property advice programme, a match-making service that pairs property professionals with charities seeking advice on their buildings.

Over the past financial year, LandAid has awarded a tremendous £1,260,924 in grants to 22 charity projects, making 2014/15 our best-ever year of grant giving. This is a wonderful testimony to the fundraising efforts and enthusiasm of the property industry.

As the property world descended on Cannes last week for the annual real estate conference, MIPIM, London was unusually quiet. So with the property industry out of office' and spring just around the corner (I say that as it begins to drizzle outside) it seemed as good a time as any to reflect on the growing successes of our pro bono programme.

Yesterday LandAid delivered the exciting news that £450,000 of funding had been awarded to the first four successful charities from our autumn grants round.

Which reminded me of the passion and spirit my colleague Caroline and I encountered in our recent visit to Fight for Peace's impressive Academy in North Woolwich, East London. Born out of the Favelas of Rio de Janeiro, and brought to London in 2007, the inspirational Luke Dowdney's vision for young people at risk of gang violence, drug abuse and crime has taken root here very well.

Political giants clashed at City Hall on Thursday night during the LandAid Debate on issues including child poverty, the capital's housing crisis and the mansion tax.

I'd like to dedicate my first blog as LandAid's CEO to a young man. I don't know his name. But single handedly he affected the lives of hundreds and possibly thousands of commuters heading to London from Cambridge (where I live) and all points north.

With the FA Cup in full flow and the Six Nations just days from kick-off, LandAid's partners have been getting into the spirit of all things sport.

The Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) are based in Newhaven, a manufacturing port town which has worsening deprivation in a district of relative affluence. The charity provides information, advice, guidance and activities to five hundred young people in the area through youth clubs and drop in services.