Selfless fundraiser is recognised in national awards

Jonathan Martin, an estate agent from Colchester, was nominated by a colleague for the national Agents Giving Fundraising Champion Awards.

Mr Martin, 46, scooped up Best Individual Fundraiser of the Year.

He said he was overwhelmed to have been announced as the winner, in recognition of the work that he does as chairman of the Magic Moments children’s charity, which was established by the Spicerhaart estate agency group 25 years ago.

He said: “I am thrilled our fundraising efforts have been recognised, particularly the Three Peaks challenge which I led earlier this year, with 20 colleagues and friends taking in the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales.

"We raised £42,000 in the process. We are expecting to have a record-breaking year and hope to raise over £160,000 in total from all

our different fundraising activities, which allows us to take children and their families from hospices across the UK to Disneyland Paris every year.

“This year, we have had three trips and taken a total of 322 people – and the smiles on the faces of the children and their families are the best reward we can have. In many cases, it is their last trip they will ever take together as a family and it is an incredibly uplifting and positive experience, despite the sadness and heartache they are going through.”

He first became a trustee of Magic Mof Spicerhaartoments in 2010, taking over the chairmanship in 2015.

Paul Smith, Chief Executive of Spicerhaart, said: “Jonathan has worked tirelessly for the Magic Moments charity over the years and every year we break new records for the amount raised and the number of people we are able to take to Disneyland Paris.

“As the chairman of the charity’s board of trustees, his infectious enthusiasm ensures that the charity goes from strength to strength, encouraging our 2,000 staff, as well as suppliers, friends and associates, to take part in a huge range of fundraising activities to support this worthwhile cause.”