This year Enfields have launched a 'Working in the Community' strategy to focus on building stronger links with local communities and ultimately to provide support for events and charitable causes. Enfields' work so far has been received with huge gratitude and praise and all branch teams are dedicated to continuing these ties in the future.

Enfields nominate Simon Says as its Charity Partner

Enfields has nominated child bereavement organisation Simon Says as its charity partner and has set firm plans to organise a number of fundraising events to support this worthwhile cause in 2007. To get the initiative off to a good start Enfields hosted a silent auction at the staff awards ceremony in January in aid of the charity raising over £2,000! The auction included prizes of a Maradona shirt and luxury break for two in London and was held after an emotive presentation on the charity's work was shown to guests. The charity's representatives Sally Stanley and Victoria Hussey, who attended the Black and White themed ball, were overwhelmed by the generosity on the night and stated, "Simon Says relies on the help of the local community to survive and we have been touched by Enfields' support. Not only did the charity receive a considerable donation but we received many other offers of support in the form of voluntary help and much needed assistance with administration and legal matters." The most recent event to support Simon Says has been a sponsored run completed by Jan Whitewick (PA to the Managing Directors) and Chris Challis (Training Director) that raised over £700. Jan and Chris participated in B&Q's 10k run - an event held in the South every year - completing the course in just 52 minutes!

About the charity

Fundraising for Simon Says in 2007

Additional fundraising events being planned by Enfields this year include a Golf day and dinner, Parachute Jump and further charity runs. For more information or to express ideas on how your branch can support Simon Says please contact head office.

Eastleigh Football Club - All weather pitch sponsorship

Enfields has committed to a three-year sponsorship package to enable the building of a new all weather football pitch at Eastleigh Football Club's grounds. It is intended that Enfields support will provide local children with access to these fantastic facilities - the first of its kind in the area! To officially launch the new pitch in December 2006, Enfields organised and hosted a schools football tournament to promote its support. Schools from around the area were invited to enter and competed to win the Enfields Cup and sports equipment vouchers for their school. Every school entering also received a free coaching session provided by Eastleigh Football Club.

Enfields set to fundraise for Simon Says

Enfields has nominated a local charity as the beneficiary of some key fundraising events planned for 2007. The charity set to benefit from the agency network's efforts is Simon Says - an organisation dedicated to providing bereaved children with access to much needed help and support.

Although Enfields will remain dedicated to supporting a full range of community groups and events, this year it was voted to organise a number of additional fundraising activities to help a specific charity so that a real difference could be made.

A final strategy is still to be agreed but initial fundraising ideas include a family fun day, golf tournament, auction evening and there has even been talk of an Enfields management parachute jump!

Simon Says was launched nearly 5 years ago to help children deal and cope with the loss of a loved one whether it is a parent, sibling, relative or special friend.

Local mum Sally Stanley established the charity in memory of her husband Simon who died of a terminal illness. During their experience the family realised that whilst there was plenty of support for adults there was none readily available for their two children. Sally became dedicated to improving access to support when children suffer loss.

Simon Says now has 18 volunteers who work throughout Hampshire to provide advice and assistance in dealing with child bereavement. Charity representatives maintain links with schools and community groups, hold seminars to educate child carers, operate an advice line, provide counselling and organise a number of activity events for children.

The charity's patron is local BBC newsreader Sally Taylor.

Enfields host schools football tournament to celebrate support for EFC's all weather pitch.

A number of schools from across Southampton competed in a football tournament organised by Enfields on Saturday 2nd December for a chance to win sports equipment.

The event was held at Eastleigh Football Club's grounds in Stoneham Lane to celebrate the opening of the new all weather pitch that Enfields has sponsored for three years.

The tournament included teams from Abbotswood Junior, Mansbridge Primary, Beechwood Junior, Bassett Green Primary and Orchard Junior Schools. Eastleigh's under 10's community team also entered. Although everyone played exceptionally well Orchard Junior School scored highest and scooped the top prize of £250 worth of sports equipment vouchers for their school.

All the teams that entered will receive a free coaching session from Eastleigh Football Club at their school and the players were all given a medal. The players and their supporters were also treated to complimentary tickets to watch Eastleigh's afternoon match against Bognor Regis.

Enfields managing director Elliott Trodd stated, "It was great to see the teams having such a great time and trying so hard to do well for their school. We felt that introducing local schools to the worthwhile facilities on offer at Eastleigh Football Club was the best way to open the new pitch. We thank the club for managing such an excellent tournament."

The new all weather pitch has been constructed ahead of schedule by main contractors Drew Smith from a FieldTurf monofilament engineered system that has synthetic fibres allowing the pitch to be used constantly all year round. It is the latest version of FieldTurf's third generation artificial grass surfaces and the pitch at Eastleigh is among the first to incorporate the new system in the UK.

Holcroft House, Residential Care Home - Wishing Well Appeal

When Enfields heard earlier this year that the local Residential Care Home were trying to raise money for some new Garden Furniture they quickly stepped in to offer their support.

Holcroft House wanted to raise £500 for their Residents Amenities Fund so that some new furniture could be purchased for their gardens to allow residents to enjoy the fresh air comfortably as the warmer weather approached.

On learning that the home were short on their target Enfields dug deep to provide the remaining cash needed to ensure residents could get on and enjoy the new furniture straight away.

Easter Extravaganza

To celebrate the opening of the Chandlers Ford branch, Enfields invited children from nearby schools to come in to claim one of 200 chocolate eggs that they were giving away. Hidden in one was a winning gold ticket worth £200 to the winning child's school to spend on computer or sports equipment.

A pupil from nearby Scantabout Primary School was the lucky winner and the school was thrilled to receive the cash prize.

Eastleigh Football Club

Enfields have put their faith in the success of Eastleigh Football Club by supporting their under 18's team for another year. Eastleigh Football Club has gone from strength to strength over recent years and as serious fans of the game themselves; Enfields Directors were quick to cease the opportunity to sponsor the club's youth squad.

Race for Life

Enfields are pleased to be sponsoring 'The Trotters' a team of 21 women running in this year's charity race in Southampton on July 16th.

Support for local schools

Selecting schools in each of their branch conurbations Enfields have been working to support local fundraising events. The schools to benefit this year are:

• Fair Oak Infant School - Help and donations for their May and Christmas Fayres.
• Fair Junior School - Sponsorship of school magazine
• Scantabout Primary School, Chandlers Ford - Assistance at Summer Fayre and donations for amenities fund.
• Sholing Junior School - Help and prize donations for Summer Fayre
• Sholing Infant School - Help and prize donations for Christmas Fayre
• Portswood Primary School - Help and prize donations for Autumn Fayre
• Shirley Infant School - Purchase of BBQ so school can raise money at future events
• Berrywood Primary School Hedge End - Help and prize donations for Summer Fayre
• St Anthony's Roman Catholic School, Titchfield - Help and donations for Summer Fete.

Managing Director Elliot Trodd states, "Our community strategy has received an overwhelming response. We have always looked for ways to help our local areas and aim to continue this in future years to ensure as many people as possible benefit."

Managing Director Rob Mott states, "As local estate agents we care about the community in which we do business and where possible we endeavour to support local causes."