News

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.

Child poverty is one of the greatest challenges facing the UK today. It affects every area of a child's development - social, educational and personal - and places families and communities under incredible strain. It's also bad for the economy. It is estimated that every year £29 billion is lost in costs to the Exchequer and reduced GDP. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) the consequences of child poverty include reduced productivity, lower educational attainment and poor health.

Surveyors across the country got their fundraising kit on for LandAid this summer with two fantastic football focused challenges. The RICS World Cup Fantasy Football tournament saw over 3,500 people sign up, raising £1,750 for LandAid. Harvey Gill of Telereal Trillium won with his team - inaptly titled Murder on Zidane's Floor - leading the way from start to finish. Chartered surveyors CS2 invited clients to lace up their boots for their World Cup 5-a-side football tournament at Goals, Wembley, on the 15 July

On a beautifully sunny day in June, Liz Potts, Elise Austin and I travelled south west to Jamie's Farm in Wiltshire. A number of students from a south west London secondary school were half way through their five day residential visit. Aged 11 to 16 years, they had various emotional and behavioural problems - the type of young people who benefit from the holistic approach of Jamie's Farm.

The glorious weather of 'Flaming June' really showcased the inspiring grounds of Trafford Hall during my visit last week. Joined on my charity visit by Danielle Rorison of LandAid Foundation Partner McLaren Property, we were welcomed to the 18th century manor house by Trafford Hall's Chief Executive Sally Wyatt.

On a beautiful summer evening, over 550 professionals from the property and construction sectors led the charge for disadvantaged children and young people at the LandAid 10K Summer Run sponsored by GVA.

The stark figures released by the Social Mobility and Child Poverty (SMCP) Commission last week highlight the real challenges facing young people in the UK. The most sobering statistic is that 3.5 million children will be in absolute poverty by 2020 - the very year that the Government's aim of eradicating child poverty will expire. The Commission's damning assessment in response to the Government's draft child poverty strategy 2014 to 2017 is that the Coalition is not doing nearly enough to address the problem.

After a very rewarding day in Glasgow and Kilmarnock, LandAid had two more stops to make in our trip to Scotland. The day began with a very enjoyable visit to our charity partner Four Square at their hostel for homeless young people in Edinburgh. Homelessness is a major problem in Scotland's capital, with the city's streets home to the greatest number of rough sleepers in the country.

First stop - Glasgow; or more specifically, the offices of Glasgow City Council, where we met with Donna Cunningham, Skills and Aspirations Lead Officer in the Education Department.