Corporate Spotlight: Exclusive Q&A with Corporate Partner, Wards Estate Agents

Corporate Spotlight - Talking to Wards Estate Agent's Marketing and Events Executive, Kate James

Arun Estates are the largest independent estate agent in the Southeast with a network of high-street branches, including Wards Estate Agents, who, for the second-year running have chosen Tree of Hope as their charity adoption for the year! In today’s Exclusive Q&A, we will be speaking to Wards’ Marketing and Events Executive Kate James on her very last day with Arun Estates, before she moves across the country for pastures new.

Throughout this charity adoption, Kate has been the chief co-ordinator for all of Wards' fundraising events and challenges, and has worked closely with Tree of Hope’s Head of Fundraising, Karen Warner to co-ordinate this hugely successful partnership! Kate has overseen numerous Ward’s charity events, from staff running the Brighton Marathon, to superhero fundraising days, sponsored dog walks and some charity quiz nights added in too.

Reflecting on Wards’ most memorable fundraising moments, Kate told us:

“I think probably the most memorable moment that I can think of is Gemma (Paddock Wood Branch Manager) and Dan's (Bearsted’s Senior Branch Partner) Brighton marathons in 2024, and their charity day when they actually went the extra mile and ran around all of the branches across the ward, which was incredible. And, you know, they live streamed some of the event and it was fantastic to see really how all the branches came together to really support the Tree of Hope and Gemma and Dan, who were literally pushing themselves to the limit”

In addition to last year’s Brighton marathon, Dan and new running-mate Logan (Wards’ Marketing Consultant) took to Brighton once more in an attempt to raise even more money than last year, and to beat some personal bests! In preparation for their 2025 Brighton Marathon attempt, both Dan and Logan took part in a relay half marathon for their corporate fundraising day back in March.

Standout moments working alongside Tree of Hope

“So obviously getting to know Steph and Karen has been fantastic. It's been amazing to really engage with you and understand some of the campaigns and some of the children [you support], sharing those posts across our social medias and things like that, and even connecting our agents more. A lot of the time it can be difficult getting that staff engagement, but with Tree of Hope you guys have made it so much easier to be able to share these stories, share these different campaigns. And our agents are actually really, really involved in some of the children's campaigns and, you know, are following different children, which is fantastic to see. So, I think that probably working with you guys is fantastic because it's amazing to have someone so engaged and really wanting to be helping us and supporting us just as much as we'll support you.”

A collaboration which makes a real difference in the community

Seeing how Wards’ Corporate support makes a difference within the community is hugely thanks to all of the efforts of the agents at Wards. Kate told us that “it’s seeing how connected they are and how ready they are for charity fundraising days. Our agents are able to fundraise across all abilities. You know, so obviously we have Gemma and Dan doing marathons and of course Logan too, but we also have bake sales and dress up days. And it's fantastic to see all of our agents across the region getting involved. It fits with who we are. We're local. We've been local for a hundred years. So it's fantastic to, you know, share the love with everyone on the high street and share the stories from Tree of Hope and also have a great day with different little events.”

Of course, families rely on the support of the community, so seeing examples of larger corporate businesses can rub off on those who are currently fundraising. Seeing branches taking part in light-hearted fundraising events, dressing up and having a good time, positively highlights that there can be a fun side to fundraising too!

Shaping the approach to corporate social responsibility and community engagement

Wards have “always been very big on charity and very big on giving back. It's one of our Arun ways to give back to our communities. So, it was more of coming in line with what we already believe and know. Tree of Hope have a very similar aspect of working within the communities and helping with our local communities. So that's why this partnership was fantastic for us because Tree of Hope already aligned with what we believe.

It's really helped our community engagement because we are back doing fundraising days and we are back on the high streets and getting people involved. But it's also that extra bit of internal engagement with our staff, who really loving to get the Portraits of Hope from Tree of Hope. I think it's that little extra bit that really tips it over the edge this year.”

Developing future approaches to Charity of the Year

With Tree of Hope “we've gained more of an understanding of how important it is for our teams to feel more engaged with the charities and really understand what the charity are doing and who they support. And it's lovely to have a regional charity where we can really connect. So yeah, I think whenever we then look for future partnerships and things like that, it will look towards the world of what we believe and also what it really brings to our community.”

Considering partnering with Tree of Hope? Here’s what Wards have to say:

“Tree of Hope are so amazing at getting staff engaged and your commitment to our staff as well. Like Karen (Head of Fundraising) visiting all of our branches across the years has been fantastic. You guys are a small but mighty team and you support us just as much as we support you, which is fantastic. It really helps build team morale and really getting those staff engaged and seeing those close connections bonding is fantastic.”

The value of Partnering with Tree of Hope

“This partnership has been invaluable. It fosters proactive engagement and strengthens our team's connections. Just a huge shout out to Tree of Hope. You guys have been fantastic and thank you for everything you do in our local communities.”

If you are interested in partnering with Tree of Hope in any way, shape of form, please do get in touch with partnerships@treeofhope.org.uk. We would love to collaborate and help you get the best experiences from your corporate partnership as possible, so whether you’d like to fundraise for Tree of Hope, become a Partner in Hope, or adopt us as charity of the year, please do reach out to our friendly team!

Thank you to Wards!

Not only have we received fundraising support from Wards over the past 18 months, but we have also built new friendships with our corporate partners. We’d love to say a huge thank you to Kate for all of her help over the past few years, and we hope that you will join us in wishing her all the very best in her new adventures within the not-for-profit industry, which, she tells us, was partly inspired by the work that Tree of Hope do.