Patron's Reception celebrates LionHeart supporters
RICS President and Patron of LionHeart, Nick Maclean, has hosted a special evening reception to celebrate many of the volunteers, long-term supporters and fundraisers who play such an important role at LionHeart.
The reception was held at RICS headquarters in Great George Street, London – where the very idea of creating an independent charity such as LionHeart was conceived more than 127 years ago by then RICS president Robert Vigers.
We were delighted to welcome back his great great grandson, retired property professional and auctioneer Shaun Vigers, who brought his gavel out of retirement to conduct an auction raising funds for the charity that generations of his family have been lifelong supporters of.
In his keynote address, Nick Maclean spoke of the sense of community, shared heritage and purpose that binds RICS and LionHeart together, adding: “Both organisations are committed to helping people thrive. RICS supports professional growth, standards and public confidence in our profession. LionHeart supports the wellbeing and resilience that allow people to flourish personally as well as professionally.
“Together, in different but complementary ways, we help make surveying a profession that people are proud to join, proud to belong to and proud to remain part of throughout their lives.
“The success of LionHeart is built on people who care enough to make a difference. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for that contribution.”
LionHeart ambassador Mandy Spenceley FRICS also spoke movingly of the support she had received through a period of serious health problems a few years ago, saying: “The moment LionHeart picked up the phone, everything changed. It felt like someone had put their arms around me.
“(The support) gave me the foundation to start to begin to function again – it gave me my life back.
“To everyone here this evening: thank you. What you give makes a direct, life-changing difference to surveying professionals and their families. Thank you for making sure none of us have to face our worst moments alone.”
With short speeches also from LionHeart CEO Phil Sparke and chair Philippa Sampson-Bancroft FRICS, the evening concluded with the auction conducted by Shaun Vigers, raising over £1,600.
Shaun himself had donated two bottles of rare, privately bottled Springbank single malt whisky called ‘The Lion’s Heart’. And former LionHeart chair Peter McCrea FRICS was offering a ‘money-can’t-buy’ behind the scenes tour of the historic Royal Courts of Justice.
