Category Archives: Charitable Events

Mia Rees, Public Affairs and Research Manager, The Wallich, Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings, Dawsons, Suzy Davies AM, Harry McKeown, South West Wales Regional Manager, The Wallich, and Joanne Summerfield Talbot, Director of Residential Sales, Dawsons.
Charitable Events, Dawsons

Suzy Davies AM praises Dawsons Property’s work to tackle homelessness

Dawsons Property has welcomed Suzy Davies AM to their branch at 11 Walter Road, Swansea to hear about their collaboration with homelessness charity The Wallich.

Dawsons has worked in partnership with The Wallich in Swansea for more than 10 years, helping to secure private rental accommodation for service users.

As part of Dawsons’ 25th Anniversary last year it selected The Wallich as its charity of the year, raising funds throughout the year and most notably during Clash of the Corporates in October 2016 – which it won by raising over £3,200 through events including a curry night with raffles, auctions and a series of games.

Other fundraising activities throughout the year, including a mud assault challenge, dress down day and collection tins, helped them raise a total of £4588.37 for The Wallich.

After hearing about the collaboration between Dawsons and The Wallich, Suzy Davies AM said:

“Huge congratulations to Dawsons for their amazing year of fundraising for the Wallich. It sounds like fun but it’s important we all see local businesses being part of solving local problems. It’s not all about the fundraising: it’s about working with the Wallich to prevent homelessness providing practical help, through these bonds, to someone who needs a stable home.”

Harry McKeown, Area Manager South West Wales at The Wallich, added: “It has been a pleasure to talk to Suzy Davies AM about our work with Dawsons and the challenges faced by homeless people in Swansea.

“Dawsons have been an excellent partner through their fundraising and support for homeless people to move into sustainable accommodation in the area with bonds.

“We run several services in Swansea from supporting rough sleepers to get off the streets in to accommodation to collaboration with the local authority to support people into the private rented sector.”

Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Dawsons’ Director of Residential Sales, said: “Our 130 staff really bought into it from the outset. Everyone has thrown themselves into it and we are thrilled with the amount raised.

“It will go towards bonds to help clients access their first properties in the Swansea area.”

Caption: L-R  Mia Rees, Public Affairs and Research Manager, The Wallich, Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings, Dawsons, Suzy Davies AM, Harry McKeown, South West Wales Regional Manager, The Wallich, and Joanne Summerfield Talbot, Director of Residential Sales, Dawsons.

Front L-R Dawsons Director of Sales, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot and Ricky Purdy, and Director of Residential Lettings at Dawsons, with members of staff from Dawsons’ Marina Branch
Awards, Charitable Events, Community, Dawsons

Dawsons delighted at winning charity challenge

Dawsons Property has emerged champions of a south Wales money-making challenge – Clash of the Corporates – run by homeless charity The Wallich.

The south west Wales estate agency came out on top as one of 20 businesses across Wales competed to see who ccould turn a £50 loan from The Wallich into the most charity money raised in 50 days.

In the end Dawsons beat Welsh choir, Only Men Aloud into second place, by raising an impressive £3,262.98 thanks to a charity auction, a cake sale and a special fancy dress Halloween day. Dawsons contribution was a big chunk of the £13,000 raised by the 20 companies.

“We are so delighted to have won – we never dreamt that we would. But in the end it’s not really about who came first, second or third it’s about congratulating everyone involved for raising money for such a worthy cause,” said Dawsons Director of Sales, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot.

Dawsons hit the ground running with a programme of money-raising events that included a cake sale, a curry night, an auction and Halloween fundraising activities.

“It’s a big thank you to anyone who has contributed to our fundraising whether it was buying cakes or bidding in the charity auction.

“I think everyone at Dawsons has enjoyed the process and it has been a great way of raising money for such a good cause – The Wallich does so much good work in south Wales for the homeless.”

Dawsons has already raised £1,300 for The Wallich, which is its chosen charity of 2016 as part of the estate agency’s 25th anniversary.

“It’s congratulations to Dawsons for winning and helping to set a new record in the total amount we raised,” said Zoe Westerman, corporate strategic relationships manager for The Wallich.

“It was so nice to see the whole Dawsons team really getting behind our charity and supporting us.”

CAPTION: Front L-R  Dawsons Director of Sales, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot  and Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawsons, with members of staff from Dawsons’ Marina Branch.

Llanelli office
Charitable Events, Community, Dawsons

Brilliant Halloween fundraising day by Dawsons branches

It was the final day of fundraising on Monday for our chosen charity, the Wallich, who do great work with homelessness in the local area.

Staff at all Dawsons branches had a dress-down/fancy dress day with competitions for the best looking branch and the best dressed individual.

The branch winner was Llanelli.

The standard of some of the individual costumes was so amazing but the three best dressed were Leon Atolagbe from Marina Lettings, Danielle Thomas from Mumbles Sales
and Lorraine Evans from Swansea.

The overall winner of the best dressed prize was Kirstie Morgan from Llanelli Lettings
Kirstie Morgan from Llanelli Lettings

However, the overall winner of the best dressed prize was Kirstie Morgan from Llanelli Lettings with her terrifying corpse bride robot baby concoction!

 

Marcia Williams, Private Rental Sector Manager at The Wallich, Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawsons, Jan Balsdon, Director of Fundraising and Participation at The Wallich, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Director of Residential Sales
Charitable Events, Community, Dawsons

Dawsons delighted after raising £2,675 for homeless charity

Dawsons Property has helped to raise £2,675 for a housing charity with a special fundraiser at the Rose Indienne in Swansea.

The leading estate agent has been involved in a Clash of the Corporates event over the past month with 20 companies across South Wales raising money for homeless charity The Wallich.

More than 100 people sat down for a top-class Indian buffet at the Rose Indienne followed by a raffle and auction.

Master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the night Ricky Pudy
Master of ceremonies and auctioneer for the night Ricky Pudy

“It was a fantastic occasion and to raise £2,675 on the night was a brilliant effort by everyone involved. A big thank you has to go out to everyone who came along to support,” said Jo Summerfield-Talbot, Dawsons Director of Residential Sales.

“Everyone gave generously to both the raffle and the auction and our director of Residential Lettings, Ricky Purdy was the perfect auctioneer.”

Among the lots in the auction were a signed Swansea City shirt and Lukasz Fabianski’s signed goalkeeping gloves.

“It is hugely important that we get this corporate support and it’s huge thanks to Dawsons for all their efforts in raising all this money,” said Jan Balsdon, Director of Fundraising and Participation at The Wallich.

“The money raised will support people directly in the city particularly in getting access to the private rental sector.”

The Clash of the Corporates event continues until October 31st when all Dawsons branches will be involved in a Halloween fundraiser.

CAPTION: L-R Marcia Williams, Private Rental Sector Manager at The Wallich, Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawsons, Jan Balsdon, Director of Fundraising and Participation at The Wallich, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Director of Residential Sales.

 

Zoe Westerman and Ricky Purdy
Charitable Events, Dawsons

Dawsons staff bid to win The Wallich’s charity fundraising challenge

Dawsons Estate Agents has just 50 days to turn £50 into a small fortune.

The challenge – known as Clash of the Corporates – is a competition run by homeless charity The Wallich.

Twenty businesses across Wales are competing to see who can turn a £50 loan from The Wallich into the most money in 50 days.

Dawsons has hit the ground running with a programme of money-raising events that includes a cake sale, a curry night, an auction and Halloween fundraising activities.

“We’ve got lots of other ideas in the pipeline,” Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings, Dawsons. “Suggestions have included car washing and pop up shops – it’s going to be a lot of fun and visitors to our branches should find it amusing.”

The £50 to start the competition was presented to Ricky by Zoe Westerman, corporate strategic relationships manager for The Wallich.

“Clash of the Corporates is a great way to bring the local business community together through some healthy competition,” said Zoe. “We’re looking forward to seeing what innovative and creative fundraising ideas the Dawsons team will come up with to help raise vital funds for our charity.”

Any money raised will boost the £1,300 Dawsons has already raised for the Wallich, which is its chosen charity of the year.

“Our staff selected The Wallich as the company’s charity of choice for the year because it has a number of shelters in Swansea,” said Ricky.

“The staff have really thrown themselves into it, and the Clash of the Corporates will be their biggest challenge yet. It’s going to be a really interesting 50 days! We just want to get the staff involved to have as much fun as they have in recent months and raise money for a good cause along the way.”

(CAPTION: L-R Zoe Westerman, corporate strategic relationships manager for The Wallich with Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawson)

Dawsons Director of Residential Sales, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot with Zoe Westerman, Corporate Strategic Relationships Manager at The Wallich
Charitable Events, Community, Dawsons

Dawsons presents cheque to homeless charity The Wallich

Dawsons Estate Agent has presented a cheque for £677.05 to The  Wallich, a homeless charity with several shelters in Swansea.

This brings the total amount Dawsons has raised since March for The Wallich to more £1,300. Dawsons’ staff selected The Wallich as the company’s charity of choice for 2016, which sees the estate agency celebrate its 25th anniversary.

“We are absolutely delighted with the amount of money raised so far by the team at Dawsons. Their fundraising activities have been varied and fun and it’s been wonderful to see each branch get so involved,” said Zoe Westerman, Corporate Strategic Relationships Manager at The Wallich, who received the cheque on behalf of the charity.

The cheque was presented by Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Director of Residential Sales.

“The money was raised as a result of our Wimbledon Day and our Euro Sweepstake,” said Joanne.

“The staff really threw themselves into it, and we are delighted to have raised so much money.”

Dawsons’ fundraising efforts for The Wallich will continue until March 2017.

Caption: Dawsons Director of Residential Sales, Joanne Summerfield-Talbot with Zoe Westerman, Corporate Strategic Relationships Manager at The Wallich

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Charitable Events

Swansea estate agent teams up with Sketty School to raise funds at their annual summer fair

Photo Caption: Children at Sketty Primary surround the Dawsons’ car as they try to figure out how many balloons were inside?

Leading estate agent Dawsons is no stranger to pledging their support to the local community, and after running a number of fundraisers in recent months for their chosen charity The Wallich, the firm turned its attention to Sketty School.

The school is close to many staff member’s hearts, in fact Dawsons’ very own Dan Guttery sits on its board of governors, and with the school’s summer fair coming up, he spied an opportunity to introduce some great family fun and raise essential funds in the same breath.

“The Sketty School Summer Fair is always a great day out and this year’s event was no exception. I came up with an idea that would help raise funds during the fair and offer something different for all who attended. Children were invited to guess the number of balloons in the car and whoever guessed correctly or closest won a prize. Overall the day was a great success, the weather held off and the ‘guess the number of balloons’ competition was a definite hit,” said Dan, who works in the lettings department at Dawsons’ Walter Road office.

The Dawsons’ balloon car competition cost £1 to enter and the winner won £25. The car contained 165 balloons and though competitors did not guess the exact total, the lucky winner’s guess was 161.

The summer fair was held on school grounds this month and was organised by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). With funds available to local schools considerably less than years gone by, ideas and events like these are being used to make up some of the shortfall. Money raised at previous fairs has supported various projects at Sketty School, including the creation of a new library, and the purchase of musical instruments and playground equipment.

A spokesperson for the PTA said: “Fundraising is an essential part of the PTA’s role and we make a significant contribution to the school’s activities.

So far this year we have funded £1000 per for the teachers to spend on sundries such as paint, paper, and other materials for crafts. Also, Annual school membership for Techniquest, the marking of the netball court, purchase of table tennis tables and an “Explorer’s Shed” for Years 1 & 2 and finally funding of the school’s Active Learn Reading Scheme.

“It is fantastic that we are able to support these local events, and we do so in any way possible as they are such important causes. I know the fair was a great success, and hopefully our small involvement helped on the day,” concluded Ricky Purdy, Director of Residential Lettings.

Clyne Muddy Challenge
Charitable Events, Dawsons

Leading estate agent gets down and dirty for charity after taking on the Clyne Valley mud assault challenge

Photo Caption: The Dawsons Team and representatives from the Wallich at Clyne Valley Assault Course

Known for being the ‘muddiest assault challenge in the world’, 16 staff members from Swansea-based estate agency Dawsons were ready and willing to take on the extreme trail at Clyne Valley to raise money for a great cause that is close to all their hearts.

To support their chosen charity The Wallich – an organisation that aims to make life better for homeless people providing the accommodation and support to help them live safely, happily and more independently – the Dawsons mud challenge team, which included company directors Ricky Purdy and Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, attempted the challenge with hilarious results!

“It was a great day, one that brought many staff members together outside the everyday working environment. We were thrilled by the level of commitment shown by staff who participated, especially those who lost shoes, lost their way and lost their dignity, that being all of us! The mud challenge enabled us to support our chosen charity and help homeless individuals throughout Swansea and the rest of South West Wales,” said Ricky, Director of Residential Lettings at Dawsons.

“Jo and I have really enjoyed the events and fundraising activities so far, and just knowing that the money raised to date has already made a difference and will continue to do so gives us all a great sense of achievement. We look forward to continuing our relationship with The Wallich through the remainder of 2016 and beyond.”

The fundraising event, which took place on Sunday 15th May, saw the team undertake 121 challenges, including a sniper crawl through deep mud. Dawsons has raised funds totalling just over £700 to date from a number of fundraising events, including an Easter bonnet competition, a ‘guess the number of Easter eggs’ raffle, a general collection at all of their offices, and the aforementioned mud assault course challenge.

After recently meeting with representatives from The Wallich, they have also set an agenda for fundraising during the summer months. The Dawsons team is currently busy organising a Wimbledon tennis competition, a Euro 2016 sweepstake and a fundraising evening, which will take place in September and include great raffle prizes, an auction, charity speakers and much, much more. Further information regarding all fundraising events, and more importantly how to get hold of tickets for each will be released during the weeks ahead.

Joanne, Director of Residential Sales, added, “The mud assault challenge is one of the many events we have lined up this year to help raise money for The Wallich. Helping to prevent homelessness and provide accommodation to support and help the homeless live safely and independently, The Wallich delivers a wide range of services to the most vulnerable in our communities. Dawsons, being in the business of providing homes albeit from very different corners, wants to give something back and work with a charity that does have a similar focus.”

“It’s great that Dawsons has been able to raise over £700 already, and their enthusiasm and involvement really will make a difference. We are looking forward to working with Dawsons over the summer months, and are sure they’ll continue to promote the charity and our great work,” concluded a representative from The Wallich.

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Charitable Events

Swansea estate agent marks its 25-year anniversary with new charity partnership

Photo Caption: Members of the Wallich community partnerships team with Dawsons’ Directors – Joanne Summerfield-Talbot & Ricky Purdy

Dawsons is pleased to announce a new partnership for 2016. To commemorate 25 years of trading, the Swansea-based estate agent is launching a series of events and initiatives starting with the sponsorship of a great cause that is already doing some excellent work in Swansea and the rest of Wales.

The Wallich aims to make life better for homeless people providing accommodation and support to help them live safely, happily and more independently. The charity started in 1978 with the opening of a 20-bed hostel in the heart of Cardiff and now works with 16 Local Authorities throughout Wales to deliver a wide range of services to the most vulnerable in our communities.

“During our time within the property sector we’ve helped thousands of people across the country find a place to live. This charity is different and focuses on those who, for whatever reason, simply do not have the means or resources to secure a home for themselves or their families. The Wallich projects are designed to prevent homelessness providing the advice, mediation and bonds people need to gain access to privately rented accommodation and as a property based business, we are delighted to support this truly humbling charity,” said Joanne Summerfield-Talbot, Director of Residential Sales at Dawsons.

Dawsons officially launched their partnership with The Wallich at their Marina office, just one of the branches in their region-wide network. Their partnership will see a calendar of social events throughout the year, such as the ‘Clyne Valley mud assault challenge’ and ‘Clash of the Corporates’, where the firm will be looking for sponsorship and, on a more serious note, focusing on mentoring and support for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Director of Residential Lettings, Ricky Purdy, added, “This is a very special year for Dawsons and we wanted to support a local charity that operates within our community. The Wallich and Dawsons are both in the business of providing homes for people, albeit from very different corners, but we wanted to give something back and work with a charity that has a very similar focus to ourselves. We start today with our first donation. These monies will go towards raising the deposits needed and purchasing the everyday essentials to get them started in their own private rented homes.”

“We are really excited to be working with a local business, and the opportunity is even more rewarding because there is so much synergy between us. With Dawsons’ support we will be able to fund any gaps in local services throughout the year, innovate locally and focus on finding lasting solutions for the homeless in Swansea,” said Jan Balsdon, Head of Community Partnerships at The Wallich.

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