More than £1,000 has been raised for Hounds For Heroes in the 93rd annual charity dinner by Portsmouth Property Association (PPA).
The event, attended by 100 business professionals at The Royal Marines Museum in Portsmouth, saw donations come in thick and fast for the charity, which provides specially-trained assistance dogs to injured and disabled people from the Armed Forces.
Barry King, PPA chairman and chartered legal executive at regional solicitors Glanvilles LLP, said: “PPA members were once again generous to a fault.
“It is fitting, given this awe-inspiring military venue, that people who served Queen and Country will benefit from the great work Hounds For Heroes are doing.”
Meanwhile, in the event programme, Barry paid tribute to the “resilience” of the local property industry for its agility in responding to five years of economic challenges, with the worst behind.
Peter Waterfield, the British Olympic diver who won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics in Athens in the synchronised 10-metre platform, was guest speaker.
Raising gales of laughter, he wore his Union Jack swimming trunks over his tuxedo to feel more at home while talking everyone through his career!
Peter, who lives in Southampton, recounted how grit and determination, and being able to endure hitting the water at 35mph, with face-bending twists of up to 4Gs, helped him get to the pinnacle of his sport.
The diver was among a number of top-table guests, including Mark Waldren, the editor of The News, which was event partner, and Alan Cufley, the regeneration chief at Portsmouth City Council, who spoke of how the city is being transformed.
David McGougan, an associate director at regional commercial property consultancy Hughes Ellard, attended in his role as the new chairman of Southampton Property Association.
Louisa Fairhall, who runs lettings and property management specialist Fairhalls in Gosport, officially takes over from Barry at the association’s AGM on April 8.
The PPA is also hosting its annual property conference at Langstone Technology Park, Havant, on March 20.
Neil Hawkins, PPA secretary and a chartered surveyor with Chandler Hawkins in Portsmouth, officially thanked guests with a time-honoured toast.
With 140 members and dating back to 1920, the PPA is the main voice for property-related professionals in and around Portsmouth.
Members include estate, lettings and property management agents, commercial property agents, chartered surveyors, solicitors and bankers.
PPA members must comply to a strict code of conduct, with emphasis on quality of service, local knowledge and expertise.
